Mountaineer: Taptowne survives inquiry to capture West Virginia Govenor's Stakes

CHESTER, W.Va. – Calvin Borel got a head start on an unforgettable week when he guided Taptowne to a two-length victory Saturday in the $200,000 West Virginia Governor’s Stakes, the richest undercard event on the all-stakes West Virginia Derby card at Mountaineer Racetrack.

Taptowne, a gray 5-year-old based at Churchill Downs with trainer Tim Glyshaw, returned $4.40 as favorite in a field of five older horses after finishing the 1 1/16-mile distance in 1:44.90 over a fast track. He survived a stewards’ inquiry called after the front-runner and eventual runner-up, Whatthecatdrugin, clipped heels when bearing out behind the winner leaving the quarter pole.

Borel was scheduled to drive Sunday from Mountaineer to Saratoga, where on Friday he will be inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame.

Taptowne, bred and owned by Clovertowne Farm, now has won 6 of 26 starts.

Mordi’s Miracle, the second wagering choice for Rosie Napravnik and Todd Pletcher, ran evenly when finishing third.

In other Saturday stakes:

$100,000 West Virginia House of Delegates Speaker’s Cup: Global Power ($8.40), stretching out from a sprint, went to the front and just kept widening in the program finale at a mile and 70 yards on the turf. Scott Spieth was aboard for trainer Jeff Radosevich.Derby Kitten, the 5-2 favorite, was up late to be second in the field of nine older horses.

$100,000 Sen. Robert C. Byrd Memorial Stakes: Jasizzle and jockey Robby Albarado dominated from the start, but after an inquiry and jockey’s objection, were disqualified for interference at the start, giving the West Virginia-bred standout Russell Road ($3.40) his 26th victory, and 20th in a stakes, from just 44 career starts.

Jasizzle, the 8-5 second choice, veered sharply inward at the break, impeding Russell Road and jockey Jose Montano. Russell Road gave closest chase throughout when finishing 7 3/4 lengths in arrears. Rummy’s Command was a distant third and unaffected by the early chaos.