Coastal Mission notches sixth consecutive win with Sam Huff West Virginia Breeders’ Classic

Coastal Mission picked up his sixth consecutive win Saturday night when he dominated in his three-turn debut in the $300,000 Sam Huff West Virginia Breeders’ Classic at Charles Town.

Coastal Mission won by 5 3/4 lengths over two-time defending winner and stablemate Muad’dib. It was another length back in third to Late in the Game.

The Classic, a 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds and up, was the richest of 10 restricted stakes on the annual $1 million Breeders’ Classics card.

Coastal Mission ($2.40) moved to the fore right out of the gate, leading the field in the slop through fractions of 25.06 seconds for the opening quarter, 49.70 for the half-mile, 1:15.38 for six furlongs and 1:39.89 for the mile. He was clear of his rivals throughout, and covered the distance in 1:53.49.

Jeff Runco trains the one-two finishers, with jockey Arnaldo Bocachica aboard Coastal Mission. Coastal Mission is a son of Great Notion, who also was bred by Runco and races for his Coleswood Farm.

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Coastal Mission has built his streak at Charles Town. It began in April in a first-level allowance and has continued with a 2 3/4-length win in the $250,000 Russell Road on Aug. 25 in his race prior to the Classic.

Coastal Mission is a 4-year-old who is now 11 for 16 for earnings of $701,653.

Five for Penguin Power

Penguin Power won a Breeders’ Classic stakes for the fifth time in his career when he rallied for a length win over Youthinkthatsfunny in the $75,000 Dash for Cash, a 4 1/2-furlong race for 3-year-olds and up that he won last season after previously accounting for three runnings of the Onion Juice.

Penguin Power ($12) covered the distance in 52.34 seconds. Arnaldo Bocachica was aboard for David Raim and trainer Jeff Runco.

Penguin Power has now won 19 of 36 career starts for earnings of $603.074. He is an 8-year-old son of Fiber Sonde.

Penguin Power won his career debut in 2017, at Charles Town.

Big night for stallion Juba

The stallion Juba had four stakes winners on the card led by Hessica ($10.80), who won the $125,000 Cavada for fillies and mares at seven furlongs for the second year in a row. She pulled clear by 4 1/2 lengths over Lucylouwho, while covering the distance in 1:26.63. Antonio Lopez was aboard for KP Racing Stables and trainer Kristy Petty.

Juba’s night opened by winning the first three races. The opener went to Jubawithatwist ($3.20), who won his second straight stakes in the $75,000 Vincent Moscarelli. The winner covered 6 1/2 furlongs for 2-year-olds in 1:19.97. Gustavo Larrosa was aboard for K P Racing Stables and Kristy Petty.

In the second race, Jubaslilballerina ($67.80) was a 2 1/4-length winner in the $75,000 Department of Tourism. He covered the seven furlongs for 3-year-olds in 1:27.05. Larrosa was aboard for Casey’s Legacy LLC and trainer Ronald Sigler.

In the third race it was Juba’s Hat Trick in the $75,000 Lottery, a seven-furlong race for 3-year-olds. He tracked the pace for a length win and covered the distance in 1:25.81. It was the third straight win for Larrosa, who was in the irons for Casey’s Legacy and Sigler.

*** Someday Is Today ($7.80) stalked the pace early and rolled home by 6 1/2 lengths in the $75,000 Classic Distaff. She covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:56.29. Arnaldo Bocachica was aboard the daughter of Carpe Diem for Andrew Warren and trainer Anthony Farrior.

*** Direct the Cat ($2.40) dominated by 12 1/4 lengths in the $75,000 Triple Crown Nutrition, covering 6 1/2 furlongs for 2-year-old fillies in 1:19.28. She is a daughter of Redirect. Reshawn Latchman was aboard for owner and trainer Cynthia McKee.

*** No Change ($4) won over Social Chic for the second time in a row when he rolled home by 6 1/2 lengths in the $75,000 Orange Juice for 3-year-olds and up. He covered seven furlongs in 1:25.64. Marshall Mendez was aboard the son of Fiber Sonde for owner and trainer Cynthia McKee.

*** Coach Rube ($79.20) rallied for a 1 1/2-length win over Fancy Her Up in the $75,000 Blue and Gold Stakes. The winner covered 4 1/2 furlongs for fillies and mares in 51.99 seconds. Orlando Bocachica was aboard the daughter of Windsor Castle for Top Notch Racing and trainer Michael E. Jones Jr.

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