Despite the race track having to be initially cleared of
snow and mud and then cleared again to keep the piled snow and its melting
waters from running out on various parts of the racing surface, the show,
although interrupted, still went on.
On that warm day after sub-zero temperatures ensued just a
few days prior, the dedicated efforts to keep the show rolling paid off as all
13 races were contested, although the racing program ran about 30 minutes
longer than usual.
On the card was the Final of the Carlspur Series for horses
and geldings which saw Jimmy Devaux , with 12-1 shot General Maximus N,
sit a pocket until the backstretch the second time around an d then zoom to the
front and cruise home an easy 2:00.1 victory over the even money favorite
Joshua’s Jet handled by Mike Forte. Armbro Chivalry was third for Bruce
Aldrich, Jr.
The winner, owned by Jerold Blackman and Bill Kapinos and
trained by Kapinos paid $24.60 for win.
Other notes of interest on that program were the continuing
win-streaks of both Joe De Fino (the horse) and Scottie C.
Joe De Fino ran his win-skein to four in-a-row
after owner ,trainer and driver Mike Simons took the lead after a relatively
slow first half and when they passed the third stanza Simons put the peddle to
the metal and Joe De Fino dashed off to a :28.3 final quarter
and scored a three length victory in a 2:00.2 clocking.
Joe De Fino’s victory was worth $5.10 to his mutuel backers.
And Scottie C, from the powerful Pete Pellegrino barn, in
rein to Greg Merton made winning look easy as the 7 year old Matt’s Scooter
gelding wired the field in 1:56.3 while the pouring rain tightened
the racing surface.
Owned by the Baron Racing Stable Scottie C paid $4.00 for
win.
With their victories, Scottie C and Joe De Fino remain
undefeated thus far this year.
