Speed Whiz repeats in Breeders Classic

William Campbell may have wondered whether he had wasted $15,000 when he claimed a 4-year-old gelding in July 2005 who had just finished seventh, beaten 14 1/2 lengths, facing nonwinners-of-three competition.

Campbell, the trainer and owner of Speed Whiz, looks pretty smart now.

Speed Whiz has won 6 of 10 starts since he was acquired by Campbell, capped by a second consecutive victory in the $450,000 West Virginia Breeders Classic at Charles Town last Saturday night.

Ridden by Anthony Mawing, Speed Whiz ($5) stalked along the inside from fifth, rallied to take the lead on the turn, and finished two lengths clear of Shenandoah Harley in the richest of eight stakes for West Virginia-bred or sired horses. Speed Whiz earned a 91 Beyer Speed Figure, 4 points lower than he got for his 2005 Classic win.

In addition to Speed Whiz, Not for Sam ($8.60) was a repeat champion. An 8-year-old gelding ridden by J.D. Acosta for trainer Amy Albright, Not for Sam wired a group of short sprint specialists by 2 1/2 lengths in the $90,000 Dash for Cash at 4 1/2 furlongs.

Randy Funkhouser, owner of O'Sullivan Farms, trainer George Yetsook, and jockey Larry Reynolds combined to win two stakes, as did jockey Travis Dunkelberger.

Funkhouser, Yetsook, and Reyolds got their first victory when Confucius Say ($3.20), a two-time winner of the Classic, shortened up this year to romp by 9 1/4 lengths over defending champion Spindini in the $90,000 Onion Juice at seven furlongs.

Two races later, the 3-year-old filly Julie B ($4.20) took over when even-money favorite Carnival Chrome lugged in during the run through the upper stretch and prevailed by 1 1/2 lengths in the $325,000 Cavada at seven furlongs.

Dunkelberger guided the 2-year-old filly Sue's Sweet Girl ($4.40) to a

1 1/2-length victory in the $90,000 Triple Crown Nutrition at 4 1/2 furlongs and the 3-year-old gelding Rhythmic Moves ($10) to a 4 1/4-length upset over 1-5 favorite Mike'sgoodandtough in the $90,000 West Virginia Lottery at seven furlongs.

Dunkelberger missed out on a chance for a third win when Shesagrumptoo, the 4-5 favorite, came up three-quarters of a length short of Malibu Sue ($9.20) in the $90,000 West Virginia Division of Tourism for 3-year-old fillies.

Willowdale Farms stablemates Eagle Speed ($11) and Fancy Dan ran one-two in the $90,000 Vincent Moscarelli for 2-year-olds at 6 1/2 furlongs.