Recently at Monticello Raceway there has
been a rash claiming being done with horses that have had long winning
streak each finding new homes. Some even changing barns weekly.
Two horses, Tom Riddle, with four wins in a row in $5,000 and
$7,5000 claimers before winning again yesterday( July 30) in$12,500 company and
Stoman, whose five race win skein in $12,500 claimers was stopped on
Tuesday when he was beaten in the final strides in $20,000 claiming event.
After a wire to wire triumph in $7500 claiming company for
driver Jimmy Marohn, Jr. on July 17 Tom Riddle was claimed by
owner-trainer Andy Adamcyzk
.
Back in for the same tag the following week this time with
Jimmy Devaux in the sulky, Tom Riddle continued to defeat his competition when
he scored by eight lengths in a 1:55 clocking. Then yesterday (July 30)
in for the first time with a $12,500 tag, Tom Riddle defeated Danny
Gill’s 19-time winner Haroun Hanover again with Jimmy Devaux driving in a
1:54.1 clocking.
Despite the $5000 raise in price Tom Ridddle, a 6-year-old
Cammibest stallion, was claimed by trainer Ron Ingrassia for new owner
Anthony Crescio.
Oddly, and perhaps interestingly, Tom Riddle, who did most
of his winning for trainer Gill before being taken by Adamczky, turned back
Gill’s stalwart pacer Haroun Hanover and earned a new lifetime mark in
doing so.
Gill won a later race on the card with Lockettejasper in
1:56 and when he came to the winner’s circle for a photo he was asked
about his former pacer, Tom Riddle, beating Haroun Hanover to which he quickly
replied philosophically, “They’re both good horses and race their hearts out every
time they’re on the track.”
Stoman’s situation was somewhat similar but he changed hands
three consecutive weeks although yesterday he remained in trainer David Russo’s
barn after owner Barry Charles took him the previous week (July 23)
for $12,500.
On July 9 Stoman was claimed by Barry Franklin
for $12,500 from Dominick Rafanelli. The following week , in for the same
price, Rafanelli claimed Stoman back. Then one week later, on July 23, Russo’s
client, Barry Charles, plunked down $12,500 and he became Stoman’s the third
owner in three consecutive weeks.
Stoman’s claiming game was stopped on Tuesday afternoon when
trainer Russo put the 7 year-old Market Report gelding in a $20,000
claiming pace and after leading all the way Stoman succumbed to
Tiny’s Million and driver Jimmy Taggart, Jr. in a 1:55.4 clocking. And
even though Stoman had changed barns weekly each trainer had Jimmy Devaux
handle the driving chores.
Currently Tom Riddle has won nine times in 23 starts
and Stoman has eight victories in 22 starts and next week may bring yet
more claiming action for the principles involved. However, only time will
tell.
