(PHOTO - HOME TO VEGAS, at right, and Tony Phillips get the measure of HOME ICE and Shanley Jackson in the $68,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity at Ajax Downs on August 14 - thank you Marie Broadstock for the image)
A few jumps out of the gate for the $68,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity at Ajax Downs a hoof-to-hoof battle was on between trial winners Home to Vegas and Home Ice. The two unbeaten youngsters threw it down for virtually all of the 330-yards on August 14 and at the finish, it was Home to Vegas and jockey Tony Phillips who squeaked out the victory over their pesky rival. Also finishing fast was Gary McNichol’s Later Tater, who was only a nose from catching Home Ice at the line.
It was the third win in as many starts for Home to Vegas who has come to hand quickly for owners Marie Broadstock and Brian Samis and trainer Bob Broadstock.
“This is the first time we have had a 2-year-old stakes winner,” said Bob Broadstock. “He’s one of the best young horses we have had.”
Home to Vegas came into the OSS Futurity off a debut win in a maiden race and then a very easy, 2 ¼ length romp in one of two trials for the race on July 24. Home Ice, a homebred for Full Circle Racing and trainer Greg Watson, won the other trial but his time of :17.700 was slower than the :17.260 hung up his Home to Vegas.
“I tell you, I didn’t expect that horse beside me to perform that good,” said Phillips of Home Ice. “My horse dug in, pinned his ears and would not give up,”
The final time of :17.190 was strong, resulting in an 85 speed index.
Marie Broadstock purchased Home to Vegas from breeder Dr, Gayle Sommer as a yearling.
“She liked his bone structure,” said Bob. “He trained with John McInerney and was still a colt until this spring when we gelded him.”
A son of Gayle and Hermann Sommer’s top racehorse and sire, Down Home Dash, Home to Vegas is the second foal to race from the mare Cash Into Vegas by Gold Medal Jess.
“He’s never missed a beat,” said Bob Broadstock. “He’s a lot of fun; just don’t mess around with him when he’s eating. He loves his food.”
The $75,000 Alex Picov Futurity on Oct. 10 is the next major goal for Home to Vegas.
Boy turns the tables
The co-featured $28,800 Adequan Ajax Downs Regional Derby Challenge for 3-year-olds brought together the streaking Alakazaam, a winner of six straight, and his arch rival Country Boy 123. The score was 3-0 in favour of Alakazaam, who edged Country Boy 123 in their trial race on July 31.
But the final was the ‘Boy’s day as the chocolate-coloured gelding with the bold white face shot to the lead early in the 400-yard dash and rushed up to grab the win by a neck over longshot Seis Zoom. Alakazaam broke outward from the gate and bumped with Panther Hero before straightening out and charging for third-place. The stewards later deemed Alakazaam guilty of interference and disqualified him from third to sixth.
Owned by Dr. Ruth Barbour, Country Bouy 123 is trained by Bryn Robertson and Cory Spataro was riding the Minnesota-bred for the second time this year. The gelding has won four of nine career races.
"He was just so forward today," said Spataro. " He improves every start. I was just hootin and hollerin at him all the way."
The time of :20.03 was good for a 97 speed index. The victory guarantees the gelding an entry into the Grade 3 Adequan Derby Challenge, worth $200,000 (US) at Los Alamitos on Oct. 29.
(Photo below - Dr. Ruth Barbour loves her 'Boy. The veterinarian and Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse owner and breeder celebrates as she picks up Country Boy 123 and jockey Cory Spataro - New Image Media photo)
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