Graduate Report 12-6-21 to 12-12-21
Tara Spach — IaHHA
Monday (12/6) at Oak Grove, Western Waltz (Tyler Shehan) didn’t feel like dancing around as the gate folded in race nine. Straight to the top from the four-hole, Western Waltz put in a wicked opening quarter of 26.1. Pacing to the half in 56.1, the three-quarters in 1:25.3, Western Waltz was still leading by a length as they rounded the final turn. While Patton Plus (Kyle Wilforg) benefitted from the pocked trip to cross the wire for the win, Western Waltz showed heart to hold off all other challengers for second, his mile in 1:56.2.
At Saratoga, Operation Shipley (Jordan Derue) started from the two-hole in race seven. Trotting out second at the quarter, Operation Shipley found herself sitting third as they reached the half-way point. Racing third on the outside past the three-quarter, the Lou’s Legacy filly was eye to eye with Malibu Kid (Larry Stalbaum) racing down the lane. As they reached the finish line, Operation Shipley was beaten by a neck to hit the board for place, trotting in 1:58.4.
Tuesday (12/7) in sunny Pompano Park, Ricky Be Sharp (Dale Hiteman) looked to compete in race nine. Away fourth from the four-hole, Ricky Be Sharp was pushed back to fifth as they passed the half. Hiteman pulled Ricky Be Sharp, looking to make up ground, back to fourth as they reached the stretch. Trotting his last quarter in 29.2, Ricky Be Sharp captured a third place finish, his mile in 1:58.1.
Imoutthedoor (Jim Marohn Jr) drew the rail in race five at Yonkers Raceway. Looking to sit in the pocket, Imoutthedoor tracked the leader around the track. As horses fanned out coming down the lane, Imoutthedoor sprinted a last quarter in 28.4 to finish third, beaten by a mere three-quarters of a length, race time in 1:54.4.
At The Meadows, Legal Liar (Dave Palone) got away second from the rail in race three on Wednesday (12/8). Racing on the rail, Legal Liar kept position around the track. Turning for home, Legal Liar raced in tandem with King Royal (Aaron Merriman) and Woody Two (Ridge Warren). In the photo, Legal Liar was second in a dead heat, beaten out of first by only a head for owner Gary Liles, his mile in 1:56.1.
Iowa grads competed in race twelve, First Gunner (Dan Rawlings) the rail, Nutter Butter (Dave Palone) the three-hole and It’s So Fluffy (Ronnie Wrenn Jr) from post-position five. With an untimely break at the start, Nutter Butter was out of contention, while It’s So Fluffy took the lead, with First Gunner in the pocket. Cutting the mile in 29.1, 59.4 and 1:28.4, It’s So Fluffy was still in control as they reached the top of the lane. Trotting a last quarter in 29.4, it was all It’s So Fluffy for the win, race in 1:58.3. First Gunner grabbed third place, his mile in 1:59 flat.
On Thursday (12/9) at the Big M, Juxta Cowgirl (Justin Huckabone) found herself parked second from the two-hole in the opener. Sitting second until they turned for home, Juxta Cowgirl gained the lead down the lane. Calling for a photo as horses crossed the line, Juxta Cowgirl found herself placing second by a head in 1:53.4.
Searching For You (Jordan Stratton) drew the three-hole in race five at Yonkers Raceway. Sitting third until past the half, Searching For You was parked second as they hit the stretch. Racing toward the wire, Searching For You picked up a third place check, racing in 2:00.4.
Friday (12/10) at Cal Expo, Jennie Ann (James Kennedy) left smartly from the five-hole in race two. Cutting the mile in 28.4, 58.0 and 1:26.4, Jennie Ann was up by two lengths as she raced for the finish line. It was all Jennie Ann as she crossed the finish line, winning in 1:56.1 for owner Rob Anderson.
Marced Debutante looked to make her mark in the opener on Saturday (12/11) at Northfield Park. Gunning for the top, Marced Debutante (Ronnie Wrenn Jr) quickly grabbed the lead from the five-hole. Quarter in 27.3, half in 58.1, three-quarters in 1:27.4, Marced Debutante was in full command, up by three-lengths around the last turn. Pacing home in 29 flat, Marced Debutante was the belle of the ball, winning by open lengths in 1:56.4.
In race three, Jumping Jillybean (Ronnie Wrenn Jr) also drew the five-hole. Getting way second, Jumping Jillybean fought for position, as she tracked the leader on the rail. Still racing second down the lane, Jumping Jillybean held on to hit the board for place, her mile in 1:57.0.
On Sunday (12/12), Frisky Pedro (Luke Plano) didn’t waste any time at the gate in race two at Cal Expo. Setting the pace, Frisky Pedro hit the quarter-pole in 29.2, the half in 59.2 and was up by a length as they reached the three-quarter in 1:30 flat. With a last quarter in 30.0, Frisky Pedro crossed the wire victorious, winning in 2:00.0.
May Day Maggie (Nick Roland) drove hard from the six-hole to take the lead in race five. Relinquishing command to Chase The Gold (James Jungquist), May Day Maggie sat second as they raced around the track. As the finish line drew near, May Day Maggie was able to hold on to second, her mile in 2:00.0.
Over to Saratoga Harness, Marc In The Box (Jay Randall) could not be contained from the four-hole in race four. Sprinting out to take the lead, Marc In The Box marked all of the fractions, 27.2, 57.3 and 1:26.0. With the win all wrapped up, Marc In The Box cruised to the finish line, pacing for the win in 1:55.1 for owner Duane Roland.
Category: NEWS
