Muad’dib outlasts Martin Man in West Virginia Breeders' Classic

Muad’dib won the $300,000 West Virginia Breeders’ Classic for the second year in a row Saturday night when he fought off a determined Martin Man to win the richest of 10 stakes at Charles Town.

Muad’dib won by a half-length over Martin Man in the 1 1/8-mile race that led a card showcasing horses bred in West Virginia. The stakes were worth $925,000.

Muad’dib ($3) was returning to the statebred ranks for the three-turn race following his runner-up finish in the Grade 2 Charles Town Classic won by Art Collector. It was his first defeat in 11 starts.

Muad’dib started a new streak Saturday night. He settled in fourth, sitting just off the opening quarter of 24.95 seconds set by Hero’s Man. The leader was joined by Ishihara through a half-mile in 49.14 and six furlongs in 1:14.51. Muad’dib shot to the lead coming to the quarter pole and in the stretch dealt with 54-1 shot Martin Man. Muad’dib covered the distance on a fast track in 1:53.97.

Muad’dib was one of three stakes winners on the card for owner David Raim, trainer Jeff Runco and jockey Arnaldo Bocachica. They also captured the $75,000 Dash For Cash with Penguin Power ($3.20) and the $75,000 Roger Ramey Distaff with Stowe Angel ($3.60).

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Muad’dib is a son of Fiber Sonde who was bred by John McKee. He has now won 11 of 12 starts and earned $693,720.

Penguin Power also is by Fiber Sonde. He caught a loose-on-the-lead Golden Key for a 1 1/4-length win in the Dash For Cash. Penguin Power covered four and a half furlongs in 51.28 seconds. It was his eighth stakes win and he now boasts a record of 17 wins from 30 starts for earnings of $491,141.

Stowe Angel ($3.60) won the Roger Ramey for the second year in a row, when she wired the field while covering the 1 1/8 miles in 1:56.74. Stowe Angel won by two lengths over Navy Sword. Stowe Angel is by Warrior’s Reward and has now won 9 of 21 starts for earnings of $255,017.

Hessica in Cavada

Hessica held off The Sky Is Falling for a half-length win in the $125,000 Cavada. The second richest race on the card was for fillies and mares over seven furlongs, which is a two-turn race at Charles Town.

Hessica ($17) covered the distance in 1:27.38. She tracked the pace early and got the jump on The Sky Is Falling, who was looking for her fifth straight win. The latter altered course in the stretch and did not get a clear run at Hessica until the late stages. Antonio Lopez rode Hessica, a daughter of Juba who races for her breeder, owner and trainer, Kristy Petty.

*Seneca Rocks ($7.80) was a head winner over Change the World in the $75,000 Department of Transportation. Change the World was attempting to win her fourth straight race. Seneca Rocks covered the seven furlongs for 3-year-old fillies in 1:28.26. Wesley Ho was aboard the daughter of Summer Front for breeder and owner O’Sullivan Farms and trainer Javier Contreras.

*C R’s Mandate ($55) edged Fancy Concho by a nose in the $75,000 Onion Juice for 3-year-olds and up at seven furlongs. It was another neck back in third to Social Chic. C R’s Mandate covered the distance in 1:26.61. Denis Araujo was aboard for owner Antonio DiCarlo and trainer Raimondo Schiano-Dicola. The winner is by Strong Mandate.

*In the 2-year-old stakes, Juba’s Notion ($24) was a three-quarter-length winner over Honeyquist in the $75,000 Vincent Moscarelli and Marz Express ($28.20) was a half-length winner over Juba’s Parade in the $75,000 Triple Crown Nutrition for fillies.

*Free Sailin ($6.60) was a 4 3/4-length winner of the $75,000 Lottery.

*Silky Serena ($8) accounted for the $50,000 Blue and Gold.

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