Good evening and welcome to the results show!
The weather was clear, the main track was fast and the turf course was firm.
We had 10 loading into the gate for the mile long G2 feature race.
As was noted when entries were drawn, there was a possibility of a late jockey switch and
did take over on the number 2 horse
CIGARshop. It should also be noted that
DUSTY and
TIGER DANCER were both 3 lbs overweight.
We were lucky to have Christina and Caton from TVG both provide their paddock analysis before the start of the race. They agreed that
STARKappeared to be the cheap speed in the race but lacked the necessary class hence his high odds at 35-1. Caton made mention that
CATALINA didn't look to be on her toes as she was in prior races, almost a non-interested lethargic look in the post parade, may be ready for a rest. And finally, they mentioned that even tho' it was a cool night,
CRIMINAL TYPE seemed to be pretty hot
and the kidney sweat was streaming down his legs. They both liked the horse with the major jock switch to be their consensus paddock selection and pick-4 single at 5/2.
The flag is up and awaaay they go.
It was a good start for all except
TIGERDANCER who stumbled badly coming out of the gate, her nose went down to the ground and her jockey lost a stirrup, he's lucky he didn't fall off,
TIGERDANCER spots the field at least 15 lengths at the start.
Let's see, they are passing the 1/8th pole and we have three horses intent on getting the lead here, Bailey is already going to the whip on
CIGARSHOP while
REALQUIET and
BLUNNY are showing their natural speed. Sitting just off the three leaders we have
STARK in 4th and then it's several lengths back to the others and still far far back is
TIGER DANCER.
Heading into the clubhouse turn, a 1/4 of the mile race completed, we see
REAL QUIET letting out a notch and opening up on the field,
STARK is trying to keep pace in second,
CIGARshop is drafting off the leaders in 3rd while the others are maintaining their position, still far back to
TIGERDANCER but her jockey is back in the saddle and still trying.
3/8ths of the race is now completed on the clubhouse turn, the leaders are maintaining their positions but going wide around the turn there was
CRIMINALTYPE, 5-6-7 wide, it could be a broken rein, the jockey seems to have lost control. That looks like a mustard stain on his silks from the county fair at Charlestown tonight,
WOW, he went really wide!
Going down the backstretch reaching the 1/2 mile pole,
REALQUIET has opened his lead to 6 lengths.
STARK is desperately trying to hang on but the girls might've been right about him being the cheap speed. Making a move up the inside is
BLUNNY just a neck in front of
CIGARshop who is now back in 4th but Bailey looks comfortable with his position.
Heading into the far turn with 5/8ths now completed, gaining ground on the outside that's, well, let's see, gaining ground on the outside that's
CIGARSHOP making his move 4 wide,
REAL QUIET is a neck back,
BLUNNY is right there,
STARK is looking desperate and the others have some running to do, there's
RUFFIAN in 5th,
CRIMINALTYPE has recovered and is now in 6th,
CATALINA never seemed to get in stride back in 7th,
OAKLAWN CAPPER is making a mid-race move back in 8th, then it's
DUSTY and
TIGER DANCER.
Turning for home at the 3/4 pole, the 6-furlong time is 1:14.30 and the speed bias track hasn't changed yet tonight. The leaders are still up there,
CIGARSHOP leading the way,
REALQUIET giving it his all but will it be enough,
BLUNNY looking to round out the trifecta,
SHARK fading to 4th, and the others are going up and down at this point.
AND DOWN THE STRETCH THEY COME, Jerry Bailey is calling on
CIGARSHOP to give it everything he's got, nobody is gaining, they're coming to the wire and here it is America, the Incomparable, the Invincible, the Unbeatable
CIGARshop.
REAL QUIET was valiant in defeat, never worse than 3rd throughout the entire race had to settle for the runner-up spot.
BLUNNY made a determined finish for the show spot edging the fading
STARK back to 4th. Then came
RUFFIAN,
CRIMINAL TYPE,
CATALINA,
OAKLAWN CAPPER and wait just a minute, who was that making a rush right at the wire, it's
TIGER DANCER recovering from that awful start just getting up in time to beat out
DUSTY.
1. $82.20 CIGARSHOP
2. $54.40 REAL QUIET
3. $39.20 BLUNNY
4. $37.60 STARK
5. $28.40 RUFFIAN
6. $23.20 CRIMINAL TYPE
7. $14.80 CATALINA
8. $13.00 OAKLAWN CAPPER
9. $ 9.80 TIGER DANCER
10. $9.40 DUSTY
After the race we caught up with trainer
to see what he thought about CIGARSHOPS performance and where he might race next. He explained that its all about numerology and he'll let the chart dictate the next race?
We also caught up with
to see if he was concerned about
TIGERDANCERS stumble at the start, he explained that she's so quick on her feet, so anxious to get out of the gate fast that the ground broke out from under her and she'll be fine.
We bid you a good night from CharlesTown, hope to see y'all at the ATM and back ready for action real soon!
I've found it easier to tear up tickets at 8/1 instead of 8/5.
to help her with the finish down the stretch. 
will need to pass the vet before entering the starting gate, caveat emptor.
---- 
---- 
