Vanquisher, Kiss Mine extend winning streaks in turf stakes

Vanquisher continued his penchant for winning close decisions when he barely overtook Timeless Fashion to win Monday night’s $75,000 Labor Day Stakes at Mountaineer Racetrack.

It was the third straight stakes victory for the 6-year-old Vanquisher ($6), with all three wins by a half-length or less.

This time, he got up by a head over pacesetter Timeless Fashion, repeating the one-two finish of last month’s West Virginia Speaker’s Cup. Cryptolight finished third, 2 ¾ lengths behind Timeless Fashion and a neck in front of Sneakin Thru.

Vanquisher, ridden by Rosemary Homeister Jr. for trainer Greg Griffith, began his winning streak after coming up a head short rallying from far back in the Da Hoss at Colonial Downs in June.

In winning for the ninth time in 33 lifetime starts, Vanquisher completed the mile and 70 yards on firm turf in 1:38.76.

Four in a row for Kiss Mine

Heavily favored Kiss Mine ($3.80) extended her winning streak to four races by drawing off to a 3 ¼-length score in the $75,000 Summer Finale for fillies and mares.

Ridden by Jon Court for trainer Dave Vance, the 4-year-old Kiss Mine previously won the West Virginia President’s Cup and the Ellis Park Turf, along with an optional claiming race.

Her winning time of 1:38.51 was .25 of a second faster than Vanquisher’s time in the turf stakes for males one race earlier on the card.
In a photo for second, Royal Sneak at 16-1 edged out Mimi’s Special Six.