Hastings: Shrug prevails in Sir Winston Churchill
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Shrug avenged his loss to Herbie D in the John Longden 6000 with a game win over Wilo Kat in the $50,000 Sir Winston Churchill at Hastings on Sunday. Sent off as the second choice in the wagering behind Herbie D, who finished third, Shrug paid $7.
Ridden by Frank Fuentes, Shrug pressed Herbie D through honest fractions of 23.61 seconds and 46.70 in the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds and up. They were on even terms after six furlongs in 1:11.11 before Shrug took a head advantage over Herbie D heading into the stretch. He opened up a clear lead in midstretch and held on to win by a length over Wilo Kat, who made a strong late move.
The final time was 1:43.43.
“We had a plan, and it worked out,” Fuentes said. “He’s a big, gentle giant. He has a long stride, and I felt comfortable the whole way.”
Shrug is trained by Dino Condilenios and owned by Swift Thoroughbreds Inc.
Emerald Downs: I Think So leads throughout
I Think So paid $3.50 for her easy win in the $50,000 Emerald Downs for 3-year-old fillies, the first of our stakes on the card.
Breaking sharply with Aaron Gryder aboard, I Think So set modest fractions of 22.93 and 46.03 while being pressed by Goldstryke Glory in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint. She started to draw away on the turn and was never threatened while being ridden out to the wire. The final margin over Silkworm was 2 1/4 lengths. Goldstryke Glory held on to finish third in the five-horse field.
The final time was 1:16.62.
I Think So is trained by Troy Taylor and owned by Mark DeDomenico LLC and Glen Todd, who races under the stable name North American Thoroughbred Racing Co.
River Rock Casino: Ruby's Victory stays perfect
Ruby’s Victory remained undefeated with an upset win over Major Dundee in the $50,000 River Rock Casino for 3-year-olds.
Sent off as the third choice in the five-horse field, Ruby’s Victory paid $10.40. He broke on top and went unchallenged for the first half-mile. Major Dundee made a threatening move on the stretch turn, but after responding to urging from Enrique Gonzalez, Ruby’s Victory opened up a clear lead heading into the stretch and had enough in reserve to hold off Major Dundee and win by a half-length in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint.
The final time was 1:16.72.
Ruby’s Victory is trained by Milton Palma and owned by Mauricio Gonzalez.