Favored So Elite runs down rivals in Humboldt Marathon
Nine-year-old So Elite ($6.80), a stakes winner at Woodbine at age 3, justified the favoritism of fans at the Humboldt County Fair on Sunday, winning the meet’s signature race, the $20,000 C.J. Hindley Humboldt County Marathon.
So Elite was claimed for $16,000 at Sacramento on July 16 by trainer Jonathan Wong for Scott Herbertson with the Marathon in mind. He had won five straight starting at the $3,200 claiming level before finishing third in the race in which he was claimed.
Wong said before the race that a six-furlong race the previous Sunday helped his veteran get to know the track and the sharp turns.
Ain’t Tellin’ set the pace before beginning to fade in the final quarter-mile of the 1 5/8-mile race that sees runners pass the finish line four times. Tiz Titus sat fairly close to Ain’t Tellin’, who came into the race on the strength of three straight wire-to-wire wins at minor Oregon tracks.
So Elite was content to sit in mid-pack while staying a bit wide and in the clear under Inoel Beato. He made his move on the final turn, taking over at the quarter-pole and finishing three lengths clear of Yur Teasing Me, the longest shot on the board whose late rally brought him second. Tiz Titus held on for third two lengths farther back. The winning time was 2:56.20.
So Elite, a Pleasantly Perfect gelding, won for the 12th time in his 48-race career and earned $12,000. He has now earned $313,375.