Roy and Dixie Jacobson’s homebred gelding COULTERBERRY posted a 5 to 1 upset in the $50,000 Lieutenant Governors’ Handicap at Hastings Racecourse August 6.
Ridden by Amadeo Perez, the 7-year-old Coulterberry (Finality – Badgetts Star by Bold Badgett) bided his time off the pace in the five horse field before launching his rally on the last turn of the 6 1/2 furlong race run over a track listed as ‘good’. He overtook Driller and heavily favoured Five Star General in the stretch and went on to win by a length in 1:16.80.
This was the second stakes win for the gelding who has won 11 of 26 races and over $180,000 US. He is trained by Mark Cloutier.
From Derby Bar & Grill, here is a recap of the August 7 races by Mike Heads:
The first Thursday program of the season unfortunately gave us cloudy skies and rain throughout the morning which led to the first ‘off track ‘ for the participants competing in the eight race card today.
The opener was for two-year-olds going three-and-a-half furlongs and the debutante LITTLE BLACK DRESS under jockey Alex Marti absolutely destroyed her rivals winning off by almost six lengths in a rapid 39.23. The daughter of local stallion Lent broke sharply and was never in danger. Her stable mate BAKFIRE BABY was very good as well and completed a healthy Steve Henson trained Exactor of $126.90.
The Swift Thoroughbreds WILSON took full advantage of a big class drop and proved best winning with Amadeo Perez in the irons. The son of Pop Artist broker alertly and disputed the pace with the favourite GOTTCHA COWBOY and while things didn’t look promising on the final bend he dug in gamely and held all comers at bay. The Dino Condilenios runner paid $5.90 to win and PASSING NOTES closed through the stretch to catch GOTTCHA COWBOY for the runner-up spot.
The main event was the $50,000 Lieutenant Governors which featured the heavily favoured FIVE STAR GENERAL who was undefeated in his three starts at Hastings. The script did not go well for the favourite as there was pace presence throughout the opening half-mile which made him vulnerable. Roy and Dixie Jacobson’s COULTERBERRY ($13.70) was the one that benefited and swept by the leaders in the stretch for trainer Mark Cloutier. Amadeo Perez had the winner behind the leaders early but quickly engaged the pace on the final turn and drew off to an impressive victory in 1:16.80. Don Danard and Mel Snow’s DRILLER turned in a much improved performance and drove up the rail to beat FIVE STAR GENERAL for second. FIVE STAR GENERAL obviously didn’t have his best day and had to settle third.
Harold and Sandra Barroby’s IT’S IN COMMAND ($7.30) broke like a rocket as usual and sped through early fractions of 22.42 and 45.98 and had plenty left to hold the closers in the stretch under the clever handing of Jeff Burningham in 1:18.60. The battle for second went to a very game longshot ELWOOD J who held off a fast closing ALWAYS SUNNY.
The 3-5 favourite FRANKIE MACHINE did not disappoint his supporters in his first try going long here at Hastings. The Willow Creek Farms runner was always well placed under Scott Williams sitting off of comfortable early splits and was strong through the lane to hold off a stubborn RAK CITY. The win gave trainer Steve Henson a training double. Rob and Vicky Gilker’s RAK CITY battled hard but had to settle for second. The Maybin’s MASTER EWEN was impressive to be third in his first start of he season.
Alison Dube, Carl and Christine Ammann’s ILHABELA ($4.40) took command early and never relinquished the lead and proved to be a worthy 6-5 favourite. The BC bred daughter of Flat Out was always under pressure on the lead but denied them all while drifting out through the final stages. The second spot was earned by the Jackson’s LA BELLE FLEUR who was impressive in her career debut after encountering a tough wide trip she still managed to stay on for second.
The Saturna Syndicate’s SATURNA ($34.90) took home the top prize after settling behind contested fractions of 22.06 and 46.21 and when the pace setters were exhausted she then cruised by with Scott Williams in the tack for the win. The Pat Jarvis pupil took 1:19.55 to complete the six and half furlongs. MAKIN IT UP fought on well down on the inside and secured second money while BACKSEAT RIDER rallied for third from her outside post.
The final dash saw a speed duel materialize between HONK, CHOREOGRAPHY and THE ODDS R GOOD as they blistered through early splits of 22.24 and 45.92 which played out perfectly for Dawn Tom and John Snow’s SARGENT RICK who was reserved early and looped the field at the head of the lane for the win. It was a well timed ride by Lenny Seecharan to gain to win on the son of Rosberg. The Elphinstone Stable’s HONK was the survivor of the wicked early pace duel and did well to hold the PLACE spot under Romario Saunders.
Of note:
BC-breds won 7 of the 8 races.
Steve Henson won 2 to join Glen Todd and Barbara Heads atop the trainers standings.
Amadeo Perez won 2 to take narrow lead in the jockeys standings over Efrain Hernandez, Scott Williams and Silvino Morales.
Racing resumes this Sunday with a first post of 4:30 pm
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