Cup Day Milestone for Henson
Hastings handler Steve Henson tightened the girth on the 500th winner of his career and couldn't have chosen a better day to do it. And he didn't waste any time before saddling his 501st!
HIGHLIGHTS
Trainer Steve Henson saddled two winners to notch the 500th and 501st training victory of his career.
The total handle was an impressive $820,726 with $227,892 wagered on track at Hastings.
Amadeo Perez booted home three winners.
Owner Willow Creek Farms had two wins on the day.
Cup Day People
The huge Cup Day crowd could not have hoped for better weather. A little cloud cover early kept everyone looking cool and pristine and then it was blue skies all the way and rising temperatures to match the mood music! The track was fast all afternoon.
Race 1.
The Saturday opener on Cup Day went to Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds’ GROOVIN’ IS BACK ($3.60), who was guided to the front early by rider Amadeo Perez, cruising through easy splits of 22.92, 47.36 and he had plenty in reserve for the stretch drive to win in 1:18.62 for trainer Edgar Mendoza. Sharlea Stable's BARBERRY BANDIT settled comfortably behind the speed under Silvino Morales, edged off the rail turning for home but couldn’t match strides with the winner. Willow Creek Farm's C C SUNRISE broke on top and was wrestled back to sit second, staying there until the mid-point of the turn, began to lose ground but stayed on for third.
Race 2.
The second race on a beautiful afternoon went to Bruce Unwin’s TOBESUNNY ($4.90), who galloped off to the front early under Jose Gomez, getting easy fractions of 24.23 and 49 flat for the half-mile then sprinted home to win in the clear in a solid 1:18.52. Willow Creek Farm's PERFECT PENNY was content to track the slow pace and remained second throughout. Maureen Byrne's STRIKING VALUE followed the pace in the third spot early staying there to the wire.
Claims:
DRILL BABY DRILL was claimed by owners WYN Racing Stables Corp for trainer Larry Grieve
Race 3.
The third was won by Willow Creek Farm's BEST ONE YET ($24.40) who was given a perfect trip by Silvino Morales, sat behind a contested pace and then swung out three deep at the top of the lane and drew off to a big score in 1:20.14 for trainer Steve Henson, who was notching the 500th winner of his career. Len Houweling and Mel Snow's SWEET AS HONEY was last through early stages then made a menacing move on the final bend to finish second. Ironside Stables SHE'S ON FIRE botched the start then rushed up to join a contested pace of 22.98 and 46.55 and had every reason to get a little weary in the stretch as she faded to third.
Race 4.
The fourth race saw Maureen Byrne's ANOTHER GUINNESS ($18.60) ride the rails to victory under Fraser Aebly, sitting in behind the speed while saving ground and got up in the final stride for the win in 1:18.91 for trainer Frank Barroby. Deyotte Racing’s TIZ MEOW was well positioned by Learie Seecharan on the inside, then moved off the rail to engage the leader but just missed and finished second for trainer Ryan Deyotte. Harold and Sandra Barroby's IT'S IN COMMAND showed his customary speed blitzing through fractions of 22.38 and 45.79 and was a little tired late finishing a close third.
Race 5.
The fifth race went to Georges Georgeopoulos and Terry Georgeopoulos’ DYNAMITER ($5.10) who led the field through impressive fractions of 23.75, 47.42 and 1:12.76 under Amadeo Perez then, when it counted, he responded in the stretch to win easily for trainer Nicole Rycroft in 1:47.06. Pocket Aces Racing Stable's SILVER ARROW was far behind the aggressive early pace and came with a nice run up the rail to secure the second spot under Scott Williams for trainer Steve Henson. Cathy Rycroft, Kelly Rycroft, Dennis Dale and Tabitha Perry’s SILARONE was also far off of the pace and started to gain momentum approaching the far turn under Ridge Balgobin and rallied to get into the third spot.
Claims:
DYNAMITER was claimed by owners WYN Racing Stables Corp for trainer Larry Grieve
SILARONE was claimed by owners Rob & Sheena Maybin for trainer Rob Maybin
Race 6.
The sixth on the day was won by Blue Willow Dairy and Forster Stable's CHI CHI'S SONG ($5.30), who was away sharply from the gate then opted to settle back in third. Then, when Amadeo Perez called on her she responded with a good quarter mile kick to get the victory in 1:19.08. Sue and Don Danard’s B C CHU CHU missed the break, which hindered her chances as she raced up three wide to join the leaders (23.24, 47.11) around the first turn. The effort took its toll in the stretch as she ran out of gas and ended up second under Ridge Balgobin for trainer Mel Snow. Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds and James Redekop's PETERSON LANDING was void of early speed and ran on well late to be third.
Race 7.
The seventh race was won by JDP Holdings DON WITH THE WIND ($13.60), who was sent hard for the lead by Kimal Santo, then was able to relax through fractions of 23.16, 48.27 and 1:13.91 and was never challenged, winning easily and getting nine furlongs in 1:52.16 for trainer Rob VanOverschot. D and E Racing's LIZZIES GIRL was well positioned on the inside under Silvino Morales and stayed on the fence until he stretch when she came out to challenge and she ran and gamely to the wire to be second. Gabriele Mathussek ‘s PADDY D'ORO ran his usual solid effort for trainer Carl Lausten, checking in third.
Race 8.
The last on a very busy Saturday went to Willow Creek Farm's MOUNT LOKI ($13.60) showing a potent late move to gather in the leaders inside the sixteenth pole under Silvino Morales and win in 1:48.07 for trainer Steve Henson’s 501st career win. Triple 8 Racing's DEANARROW suffered from his outside post as he travelled wide under Fraser Aebly through most of the trip, but still managed to make the front in the stretch but was reeled in late and had to settle for the runner-up spot. Jim Strachan's SOMTHING ELUSIVE showed good speed but was hung out three wide around the first turn then chose to settle behind the speed passing the stands. He made a bold run down the backside to get to the lead but couldn’t sustain the run and ended up third.
Congratulations to Steve Henson!
