Horses bred by Mrs. C. Oliver Iselin won three races in two days this past week as Virginia-breds scored a total of seven wins in four days. Audacious Angel, Talk Less and Just Funnin Ya connected at Churchill Downs, Mahoning Valley and Mountaineer Park respectively between November 18-19.
Audacious Angel was best in a $26,000 claiming race at the six furlong distance. The 4 year old City Zip filly took control from just past the quarter pole and held on to win by a neck over Like a Haint. The Steve Asmussen trainee is out of the Distorted Humor mare, Humorlee and increased her lifetime bankroll to $96,456 with the victory.
Talk Less won by a length in his $22,500 one mile, 70 yard allowance race. The 3 year old Blame colt raced unhurriedly early on and after crossing the half in fifth, responded with a burst of speed late and finished in 1:45.95. He is out of the Afleet Alex mare, Aristra. Talk Less now has 7 “in the money” finishes from 10 starts this year, good for $59.765 in winnings.
Scarlett’s Ransom has captured her 4th race of 2017 November 19th at Laurel. Photo courtesy of Jim McCue.
Just Funnin Ya completed the trio of wins the next evening at Mountaineer Park with a close neck victory in a $6600 claiming sprint. The 6 year old City Zip mare was best in a field of nine and finished the six furlong test in 1:13.66. She made her 41st career start and collected her 7th win overall. Just Funnin Ya, whose pocketbook includes $122,745 in earnings, is also out of Humorlee by Distorted Humor.
Eric Rizer and Nancy Rizer saw two of their Virginia-breds prevail at Laurel on back to back days. Scarlett’s Ransom authored a gate to wire triumph at 5 1/2 furlongs on the 19th while Little Miss Jojo came from behind to nip Annapolis Class by a neck at 6 furlongs on the 20th. Eric Rizer owns both and collected a 25% bonus courtesy of the VTA/HBPA Mid-Atlantic incentive program. The former is by Denis of Cork out of Moosette by Grand Slam and the latter is by Stephen Got Even out of Jolie Ange by Lion Hearted. Scarlett’s Ransom has won two straight and four overall this year while Little Miss Jojo broke her maiden.
Little Miss Jojo held off Annapolis Class and Nancy R at the wire to win her first lifetime race. Photo by Jim McCue.
Northern Eclipse had the biggest win of the week by capturing a $45,000 allowance race for fillies and mares at Laurel on the 18th. The 5 year old Northern Afleet mare went to gate to wire, but had to hold off a furious finish which saw Bioterp come up a neck shy. The winner was bred by Mr. & Mrs. Bertram Firestone. Northern Eclipse has amassed $146,635 in earnings this year alone. He has 4 wins, 3 runner-ups and a pair of thirds in 10 starts.
Northern Eclipse collected her 4th win of the year and 9th “top three” finish November 18th at Laurel. Photo courtesy of Jim McCue.
Stormin Margaret, bred by Rodger Smith, won a $9,000 claiming race at Finger Lakes to trigger the first of those seven Virginia-bred wins. The 7 year old Here’s Zealous mare won the 5 1/2 furlong sprint by 1 1/2 lengths in 1:06.00. Owner Establo G and G earned a 25% bonus from the incentive program with the triumph. She made her 66th career start and earned win number 11. Out of the Smoke Glacken mare, Storm in Philly, Stormin Margaret now has a career bankroll of $165,165..