Chi Chi Rides Her luck in Casino Stakes
Chi Chi Time survived an early scare to run out a comprehensive winner of Saturday's River Rock Casino Stakes, while Rondelito shocked the favourite in the Ross McLeod Stakes
HIGHLIGHTS
Chi Chi Time overcomes nervous start
The six races were shared among six different jockeys and trainers.
The Jackpot Pick 5 carryover sits at $62,130.
The handle was $391,120.
Racing Around
A perfect June Saturday, with hazy clear skies and temperatures in the 70s. A good-sized crowd enjoyed the Corgi racing, with plenty of ‘“railbirders” around to cheer on the Stakes action. The track remained fast and fair all afternoon.
Racing Round-Up by Mike Heads
Race 1.
The first race of the afternoon was won by Rob and Sheena Maybin's RICK'S DANCER ($10.80), who was easily able to secure the rail and lead under Chris Mamdeen (26.93, 52.75, 1:17.76), and they had just enough left in reserve to win in 1:49.05 for trainer Rob Maybin. Jordan Froelich's THIRSTY FRIEND was out-sprinted early, choosing to be positioned in the two path with Kimal Santo at the controls and, when the real running started on the final turn, he stayed with the winner but yielded in deep stretch, finishing a good second for trainer Dino Condilenios. Rob and Sheena Maybin's LOGICAL AL was, as usual, slow away from the gate and prompted by Silvino Morales to engage the slow pace. They raced in the three path the entire trip, checking in a close third for Rob Maybin
.Race 2.
The second of the day saw Don Musgrove and Bradley Clowers’ PINEAPPLE TIDBITS (4.70) track a slow pace on the inside under Amadeo Perez, then, when racing room became available, they angled to the three-path and just got up nearing the wire for the win in 1:46.61 for conditioner Keith Pedersen. WYN Racing Stables’ ICE BREAKER was also in behind the speed with Antonio Reyes up and they snuck through on the rail to grab the lead turning for home and just missed in a very game performance for trainer Larry Grieve. Rob and Sheena Maybin's NEIGHNEIGH was away best, setting a leisurely tempo (24.84, 49.42, 1:14.24) under Ridge Balgobin, and seemed to be travelling best at the far turn but tired and finished a good third for Rob Maybin.
Race 3 — The Darlene Smith Memorial
The Darlene Smith Memorial race went to Warren Wilson, June Sutherland, Neil Stajkowski, Ross Switzer and Barry Hickman's BRIAN'S DE LEIGHT ($5.20) who was able to get the early lead under Kerron Khelawan, while being mildly pressured (24.21, 49.23, 1:14.95). The pair kept their advantage to the lane and had to battle gamely to get the victory in 1:47.57 for trainer Charlene Miller. Pete Gregory, Cody and Kelsi Wellard's TEXAS MOONSHINE was in a good spot the entire way with Antonio Reyes aboard. They found a narrow opening on the rail to briefly gain the lead in deep stretch, but lost the bob at the wire, ending up second for trainer Pete Gregory. After a good start, Sasquatch Stables’ SOMTHING ELUSIVE was rated just behind the leaders bywho rider Amadeo Perez made his move approaching the far turn. The pair led briefly at the top of the lane before weakening into third for trainer Jim Smith.
Race 4 — $40,000 River Rock Casino Stakes
The fourth race was the $40,000 River Rock Casino Stakes for three year olds fillies and, as expected, Wil-a-Way Farms, Gail Jewsbury and Pat Jarvis CHI CHI TIME ($2.10) led throughout under Kuri Powell, posting sensible fractions (22.76, 46.51) before drawing clear when asked in 1:17.01 and looking like a filly with a very bright future for trainer Pat Jarvis. Whitehall Farms I'M IN CONTROL raced with the winner early under Antonio Reyes and did everything possible to try and get the winner but had to settle for the runner-up prize for trainer Keith Pedersen. Wil-a-Way Farms, Gail Jewsbury and Pat Jarvis’ ZENARI stepped up in class and performed extremely well under Kerron Khelawan, racing behind the pace and rallying to be third for Pat Jarvis.
Race 5 — $40,000 Ross McLeod Stakes
The fifth race on the program was the $40,000 Ross McLeod Stakes for three-year-olds at six-and-a-half furlongs and the winner's cheque went to Lorie Henson’s RONDELITO ($18.00), who was sharp early and raced on the rail with Kimal Santo getting comfortable splits (22.86, 46.56) before turning back all challenges to win impressively in 1:16.77 for trainer Steve Henson. Willow Creek Farm and Lorie Henson’s MOUNT DOOM was in a perfect striking position, sitting just off the winner under Antonio Reyes, but was outrun to the finish, ending up a clear second as the heavy choice for trainer Steve Henson. Canyon Farm's AUTOBHAN ACE was shuffled back a bit early passing the stands for the first time under Amadeo Perez but began to advance three wide on the backstretch to make things interesting, racing head and head with the leaders turning for home. However, the pace was too kind for the top two and the pacesetters sprinted on while he tired slightly from his early move to be third for trainer Craig MacPherson.
Race 6.
The sixth race saw Swift Thoroughbreds’ HORATIO ($4.90) get a picture perfect ride from Richard Balgobin, saving very inch of ground, which was needed to get the victory in 1:17.23 for trainer Dino Condilenios. Canyon Farm's MR MORRIS was away much better from the gate and sat a much better trip under Kerron Khelawan. They led until deep stretch, before getting nailed nearing the line in a very good effort for Craig MacPherson. Dennis Dale, Morris Peter and Ed Welsh's ROCKCLIFFE was wide through most of the trip under Antonio Reyes due to the slow pace but still managed to battle for the lead into the lane, ending up an unlucky third for Keith Pedersen.
Wyn Double at Emerald Downs
An excellent weekend for Wyn Racing, as trainer Ian Jewell saddles former Hastings winner MONEYSHOT (Frosted) and the BC-bred LET’S GO CHAMP (Sungold) to win south of the border at Emerald Downs
Bloodhorse Daily Headlines — Sunday, June 15
Darlene Smith
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