Chief Istan Relishes Off Track in $75,000 Challedon
Chief Istan Relishes Off Track in $75,000 Challedon
Lovable Lady Extends Streak to Three in $75,000 Politely
20-Cent Rainbow 6 Solved for $12,009 Saturday
Week 4 Qualifier in MJC Players’ Challenge Contest Sunday
MJC Tracks, Outlets to Simulcast Sunday’s Arc de Triomphe
LAUREL, MD – Displaying his affinity for an off track, Chief Istan passed pacesetting Big Guy Ian in mid-stretch and turned back a late bid from Rockinn On Bye to capture the $75,000 Challedon on a rainy Saturday at Laurel Park.
The seven-furlong Challedon for non-winners of a sweepstakes 3 years old and up was the second of two stakes on the 10-race program, following Lovable Lady’s victory in the $75,000 Politely for Maryland-bred/sired fillies and mares 3 and older.
Trained by Larry Jones for co-owners Sagamore Farm of Maryland and breeder Brereton Jones, the former governor of Kentucky, Chief Istan ($6) was making his first start beyond six furlongs and second over an off track, having won on a muddy and sealed track May 21 at historic Pimlico Race Course in his first start in 13 months.
“To be honest with you, when Larry Jones sends something out here they are completely ready,” winning rider Gabriel Saez said. “It was a no-brainer. There were a few horses with speed so I got him to relax going down the backside and followed along when the horses turned for home and he got the job done. First time past three-quarters, it seemed like he handled it really well. I just had to get him to relax and make sure he finished up running, and it worked out well.”
Racing on the inside from Post 2, Big Guy Ian took the field through an opening quarter-mile of 22.71 seconds while Chief Istan rated in third before moving up to a stalking spot after a half in 46.30. Saez gave Chief Istan his cue after straightening for home, and they charged past Big Guy Ian as Rockinn On Bye made a belated bid behind.
Multiple graded stakes-placed Mylute checked in fourth while favored All Star Red was fifth.
“The nice thing about him is he likes to be aggressive. He knows we’re about to race and he likes to get his mind right and be aggressive when it counts and it shows in his races,” Jones’ assistant Andre Stock said. “We just led him out there, and he has speed. We told Gabriel if they want to go out there and be in front, let them. Don’t fight him; let him do what he wants to do. If the horse wants to be up there he’ll put himself up there and if not just gradually get up there and he’ll take care of the rest. He ran great and looked good down the stretch. I was talking to Mr. Larry on the phone and he was real thrilled. He praised everybody; it was a real good effort.”
Lovable Lady Extends Streak to Three in $75,000 Politely
Loveable Lady reeled in stubborn long shot leader Deliver Me nearing the wire and surged past for a one-length victory in the $75,000 Politely, her third consecutive victory and second straight in a stakes.
It was fourth win from eight career tries at Laurel for the 5-year-old Not For Love mare, and second win on the day for trainer Mary Eppler. With regular rider Horacio Karamanos aboard, Lovable Lady ($5) ran six furlongs in 1:11.33 over a sloppy main track.
Bred by Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Rogers Jr. and owned by the family trust, Lovable Lady broke running from Post 3 and settled in third between Street Cruizer on the lead and Deliver Me to her outside. They went the first quarter-mile in 22.36 seconds before Deliver Me, sent off at 50-1, took over the top spot on the turn for home.
“She was a little bit too close in the very beginning. She likes to drop back and come on but it all worked out,” Eppler said. “When she does break on top and so close it is hard to get her back but he did a great job. He said he only hit her twice just to go by her. She looked like she was coming and I was confident she would get there.”
Karamanos moved Lovable Lady, the 3-5 favorite in a field of eight, to the outside to launch their bid as Candida H. moved into contention on the inside. Lovable Lady steadily gained ground down the stretch in her return to the dirt after winning the Jameela Stakes on turf Aug. 20.
“It was a little bit tight because the horse was coming from outside and I had [Candida H.] inside me so I couldn’t come over. The filly needs to relax a little bit behind the speed so it was a little hard because she broke so sharp out of the gate,” Karamanos said. “I just waited for the moment and on the middle of the turn I knew I was in a good spot because I had room to swing out and do whatever I want to do. I hit her a couple of times in the stretch and she passed nice and comfortable.”
Eppler said Lovable Lady would likely be pointed to the $100,000 Maryland Million Distaff at seven furlongs Oct. 22.
20-Cent Rainbow 6 Solved for $12,009 Saturday
The 20-cent Rainbow 6 was solved for the first time during the fall meet, returning a jackpot payoff of $12,005.98 to one lucky bettor.
Two horses were live to take down the jackpot heading into the 10th race finale, won by Morris Bailey’s Cold Spice ($8.80) to complete the winning 3-9-12-3-9-9 combination.
A total of $2,870 was wagered Saturday into the Rainbow 6, which began with a jackpot carryover of $9,709.80 that had built up through the first 10 days of the meet. Other winners in the sequence were Little Cyclone ($5.60) in the fifth race, Sisella ($14.20) in the sixth, Bill’s Passion ($8.20) in the seventh, Lovable Lady ($5) in the $75,000 Politely and Chief Istan ($6) in the $75,000 Challedon.
The Rainbow 6 carryover jackpot is only paid out when there is a single unique ticket sold with all six winners. On days when there is no unique ticket, 60 percent of that day’s pool goes back to those bettors holding tickets with the most winners while 40 percent is carried over to the jackpot pool.
The Rainbow 6 begins anew Sunday spanning Races 4-9. The sequence includes a $40,000 maiden special weight for females 3 and up at 5 ½ furlongs where 3-year-old filly Sarah’s Treasure is the 7-2 program favorite from Post 6 of 11; and a $45,000 second-level optional claiming allowance for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles topped by Mister Diz runner-up Just Jack, most recently sixth in the Laurel Dash.
In addition to live racing, Laurel will play host to the fourth of seven weekly qualifiers in the Maryland Jockey Club Players’ Challenge leading up to the Oct. 8 championship round. Entry fee is $30 and limited to members of the MJC Premier Players Club. For more information, visit https://www.laurelpark.com/handicapping/players-challenge.
Doors will open at 9:45 a.m. Sunday at both Laurel and historic Pimlico Race Course for live simulcasting of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe from France’s Chantilly Racecourse. Coverage begins with the Arc in Race 4, which has a 10:05 a.m. post time, and continues through the De La Foret in Race 7 at 12:10 p.m.
Also carrying the Arc simulcast will be MJC off-track betting facilities at the Riverboat Casino in Colonial Beach, Va. and the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium.
Notes: Trainer Mary Eppler saddled two winners for the second consecutive day, finishing first with Street Bullet ($5.80) in the fourth race and favored Lovable Lady ($5) in the $75,000 Politely Stakes. Jockey Jevian Toledo posted a riding double aboard Little Cyclone ($5.60) in the fifth race and Cold Spice ($8.80) in the 10th.
