Strange ending to trainers' race

The race for leading trainer between Rodney Faulkner and Jeff Radosevich ended on an odd note in the fifth race last Saturday, closing day of the Thistledown meeting, which is the second of four meets held here each year.

The trainers went into the race tied with 25 winners apiece. Faulkner had a two-horse entry and finished one-two with Two Dime Limit and Marquis Stone. Radosevich's starter, Pedalonthemetal, finished third under Scott Spieth, who contacted the stewards and claimed foul against Marquis Stone for interference.

When track announcer Matt Hook informed the public that jockey Spieth had claimed foul for alleged collusion, an audible buzz went through the crowd.

When asked why he used the word collusion, Hook replied, "It was the only word I could think of to describe the situation."

After reviewing the videotape, the stewards dismissed the foul claim.

Losing the title ended a run of six consecutive meet championships for Radosevich.

Both Radosevich and Faulkner took the final-day drama in stride.

"It was a good race between Jeff and me," said Faulkner. "I think his jock was hoping to get the best out of the deal."

"I understand that my horse was herded a little bit, but that's horse racing," Radosevich said.

Radosevich, who served a 15-day suspension for a medication overage during the meeting, ran 74 fewer horses than Faulkner during the meet.

Spieth won the riders title with 43 winners, nine more than Weldon Cloninger Jr.