Arapahoe: Vannacide seeks to extend streak at age 10

Vannacide has won at least one race at Arapahoe Park every year since 2003. Saturday, she will be out to keep her streak alive in what could be the final race of her career. Vannacide is set to start in the $30,000 Spicy, and is seeking her first win at the meet, which closes next weekend.

Vannacide, 10, has won the 1 1/16-mile Spicy four times, but this year the task seems more difficult. She will be coming off a rare double-digit defeat and will be making just her third start of the year. Vannacide also must contend with her talented "niece," Vanasee, who owns the field’s best last-race Beyer Figure. Vanasee’s dam is a full sister to Vannacide.

Vannacide does have the benefit of returning to the Colorado-bred ranks. She also has reason to move forward off her last race, said trainer Kenneth Gleason. Vannacide was making just her second start of the year last out in the $40,000 Columbine, a 1 1/16-mile race won by New Mexico shipper Queen Greeley.

"She got to run one time, three-quarters of a mile, going into that race," Gleason said. "She didn’t get a chance to run around two turns, and that’s tough to do against open mares like that – going into a stakes race out of a six-furlong race two months earlier. She’ll run a lot better race this time around."

Gleason feels the Spicy will probably be the final career start for Vannacide but emphasized the decision will come from owner Bill Vanlandingham. Vannacide, a daughter of Slewacide, has won 17 of 45 starts and is 14 for 36 at Arapahoe.

Russell Vicchrilli rode the mare when she won her career debut, on July 4, 2003 at Arapahoe, and he has the mount Saturday.