Twostep Partner takes dip in pond

Scat's Princess is one of the leading contenders in the Falls Amiss Handicap on Friday at Horsemen's Park.P

It isn't often that you see a horse in the infield pond at River Downs, but if you were watching on Tuesday you did.

Twostep Partner had a one-length lead nearing the eighth pole, when he shied from the whip of Francisco Vidal and veered left, unseating Vidal and jumping the inner hedge. He then proceeded to run behind the tote board, and straight into the pond. He swam for about two minutes before coming back to shore to his awaiting trainer, Dennis Moore, as if on cue.

Vidal narrowly missed the hooves of Sharpest Cat when he was thrown but was not seriously injured. Twostep Partner was walked off the turf course and examined by veterinarian John Piehowicz at the barn. "He's clean, no cuts, hardly looks like he ran a race," said Piehowicz "I'd give him a clean bill of health."

* Jockey Rodney Prescott won five consecutive races, the final three on Friday the 13th and the first two the next day. Prescott won on Faith in Action ($6.40), My Girl Elizabeth ($7.40), Prince Kong ($10), Houston Heist ($3), and Celia Baby, who rewarded trend followers with a $48.80 payoff.

Prescott and Edgar Pauca are tied for leading jockey with 21 wins.

* Locally based horses took the first three spots in the George Lewis Memorial at Thistledown last Saturday. Acts Like a King, ridden by Ramon Luna for trainer Kris Nemann, won impressively over Catlaunch, trained by Ivan Vazquez, and Head to Toe, trained by Bill Napier. The all River Downs trifecta returned $168.60. Acts Like a King will next race in the $75,000 Governor's Buckeye Cup at Thistledown on Sept. 3.

- John McDulin