Monday, January 11, 2010

The week always goes by faster when you’re winning races. This week flew past thanks to Ginnygin, Singingtothecrowd and Dressy Devil. Tim Hopkins 4-year-old filly by Go For Gin improved her career record to 5-for-15 with her first allowance win Thursday night. Jockey Craig Gibbs sat patiently behind the early speed, approaching the 3/8 pole he asked her to run and she circled the field of nine other fillies and mares. She’s always been a hard-knocking filly and it’s gratifying to pick up a nice allowance purse – $36,000 purses – with her.

Congratulations Tim.

Earlier that night, Flying Wildcat (11-1, Gibbs) went straight to the front and nearly lasted, but couldn’t hold off the charge of Black Magic Mama (1-5 favorite), but it was a very good effort by the bay filly by Forest Wildcat. I hope Allen and Audrey were able to watch at one of the OTB’s in Aruba.

The next day Tara Farms’ filly Singingtothecrowd won her second race at Laurel Park. Plagued by some bad luck lately, the filly overcame a six-wide trip around the final turn and was kept to the task by jockey Malcolm Franklin to win Laurels third race.

Congratulations Rodger and Donna.

Never wanting to miss a race, Arnold and Sylvia Heft came out Sat to Laurel’s ninth race to watch their big, beautiful gray gelding Dressy Devil. Dressy just turned 5 and, well, has had some close calls with the winner’s circle. It seems Dressy Devil has been just as happy to stay a maiden so even though he was the favorite we were not sure what to expect. Jockey Sheldon Russell had a game plan all mapped out for the Devil’s Bag gelding. Explaining to me exactly when and where he was going to be during the race. It all worked out as he also overcame the outside post and a wide trip to win by 6 ¼ lengths.

Congratulations Arnold and Sylvia.