Robertson off to good start at Fair Grounds meet

NEW ORLEANS – Trainer Hugh Robertson hasn’t run many horses at this Fair Grounds meet, but they’re paying the bills.

Through Thursday, Robertson had 5 wins, 2 seconds, and 6 thirds from 18 starts (a 72 percent in-the-money rate), and his horses had earned $155,410.

“I kind of freshened up for this meet,” said Robertson, who comes south from Chicago for the winter. “I didn’t run much at Hawthorne.”
Robertson said he sold five or six cheap horses before leaving for New Orleans.

“The purses got so low at Hawthorne,” he said. “It’s worthwhile for me at this meet already. We’re probably in the black for the meet.”

Robertson owns or co-owns many of the horses in his barn – a situation that has helped the finances. He had a nice payday last Sunday, when Voodoo Spell and Bet Seattle, both owned by Robertson, won consecutive races.

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Running for a starter-allowance condition, Voodoo Spell, a 4-year-old gelding, ran about 5 1/2 furlongs on turf in 1:03.11 to win an optional-claiming race for his third consecutive victory. Robertson purchased him for $3,500 as a yearling in 2012, and Voodoo Spell, who has won 7 of 18 starts, has earned $115,925.

“He could run in starters forever,” Robertson said. “We’ll have to see what comes up. He’s already run three times here.”

Bet Seattle, a multiple stakes winner, has proved be an even better bargain. Robertson purchased him as a yearling for $1,500 in 2010. A 6-year-old gelding, Bet Seattle ran six furlongs Sunday in 1:09.68 to defeat Louisiana Champions Day Sprint winner Too Dim by a length in a stakes-caliber optional-claiming race. The victory was Bet Seattle’s 10th in 27 starts and boosted his earnings to $365,385. Bet Seattle finished third in the Bonapaw in his other start at the meet.

“He doesn’t run too often,” Robertson said. “He kind of runs well fresh. If he gets another out or two here, that’ll be plenty for him.”