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- Opening week was alive at "The Downs" on this last
weekend in April. Purses were at an all time low, but
horseman's moral was flying high.
"Wait a second!" No,Loney? No, Binkley? No,
Emerson? In there absence, we saw the return of
some solid stables.
Gary Neafus, Scottie Harris, and Randy Jerrell each
carried their powerhouse stables here this meet,
while some new horsemen from down south added
their names to the ever-growing "Mississippi Mafia."
Opening night saw a slow, "race closer" favoring race
track,and added with a non-functioning teletimer, it
left veteran reinsmen Randy Jerrell, Micky Pryor, and
Jamaica Patton saying cheese after winning 5 of 8
races respectedly. We also saw the return of 2
horsemen from years past. Pat Curtin returned from
Chi Town after a year driving for the powerful Rucker
stable. Picking up where he left off, Curtin guided 4
winners this weekend. Derrick Anderson returned
after, what was thought of, a race ending injury. He
is ba!ck and more than ready. Now, for the racing
side!
The most impressive win, was by a first time starter
by Real Desire. Her name, CARA MIA HALL. Owned
and trained by LaCenter horseman, Stan Wildharber,
and driven by Mickey Pryor, CARA MIA HALL exploded
out of the gate and never looked back. AWESOME
best describes her 16 1/2 length romp. "If it were a
fight, they'd a stopped it." The win was a first not
only for this talented filly but for trainer Stan
Wildharber. She will be a force to reckon with in the
Wildcat Series. Her competition; both winners in their
opening races.
Hall of Famer Scotty Harris sent out Real Model to an
impressive win in her return. Pat Curtin sent Real
Model to the front and never looked back. The other
winner is my sleeper pick to win the Wildcat Series.
Erick Hutchinson's Allamerican Ingot filly, Half Gold
Rose. Making her first career start for Lawrence
Cooper, she let the speed balls duke it out up front,
and turning for home, Half Gold Rose kicked off !
cover with Lawrence's patented "COOP SWOOP" and
drew away at the wire. "She's green and doesn't
really know what her job is, but she can really close",
said Cooper.
On the trottin side of the Wildcat series, we look at a
powerhouse trio from trotting guru, MT Bowles.
Palance Hall, Super Sims, and Jon's Girl. Super Sim's
and Jon's Girl dominated in their qualifiers and
Palance Hall put in a huge effort. MT "feels good
about his chances" and so do I.
The OPEN saw entry mates Falita and Simply a Star
swap wicked fast fractions enabling Misconception to
rocket past the tiring leaders to 2:00.2 win. A very
patient drive by "Trainer of the Week" Rex 'WD40'
Watson. This was Rex's first win in 3yrs, at a
Kentucky track, since winning with I AM SEXY at the
Ridge. Keep it up Sexy Rexy.
The fastest race of the weekend was won by
Gentlemen Joe Haught's Holly's Topaz in 1:57.4.
"Hey,by the way Joe, have you ever returned the
bridle to Brush the Sand when you jerked it off her in
last meet's OPEN."
The fastest last quarter of the weekend was Darla 'I
won 3 this week' Martin's Misty Rio in 29.2.While I am
finishing up.
Here is my weekly Hot/Not/&Watch List.
See if you agree.
Best performance: Fuzzy Finance
Horses to Claim: Hoosier Dr Debby and Welcome to
OZ
Horses to Watch: Chevie Turbo, Half Gold Rose,
and Lea Legend
Horses to retire to Pasture: Jiminee Jack and
Underexposed
Horses not to bet this week as Favorites: Count
Masone, and Go Ginny Go
My pick of the week: Ole Slingshot (how you go
against 7 in a row)
My pick for driver of the week: Jim Bucky
Buchanan, "after all, he did win a race and didn't get
fined."
Derby Pick: Scat Daddy
Come on out and see us Derby Day. Great food,
great racing, and LOADS of give-a-ways thanks to
KYharnessracing.com
And will somebody please give Brian Cotton his "A"
license. We are running out of tissues.
You have been TRACKSIDE. I'm Michael Kravchak and
this is my SIDE...
TRACKSIDE "Where the truth makes the story"
with Mike Kravchak
4/29/07
with Mike Kravchak
4/29/07
Opening Weekend