Race of the Week
Last to first—an impressive burst. (From May 25, 2008)
Gold Lad has his golden ticket to Free Press
Trainer Jim Fergason's Portand barn continues to impress including with Sunday's feature, the last prep for the Free Press Sprint for older horses. Gold Lad, a 7-year-old gelding by Gold Fever, came from the back of the pack to score a big victory. Sitting off the rail, jockey Kirk Johnson waited until mid-turn to make the move, passing an impressive field including 2007 Free
Press winner Illusive Force.
Going widest of all, Gold Lad was able to run down leader Esprit Du Roi at the wire to take the feature.
Shadow Rush and Slew Can Dance battled for the lead down the backstretch and set blistering fractions of 23.1, 46.4, and 1.12.2 for the six furlongs. In the middle of the turn, neither pacesetter could hand the onslaught of all the horsepower and faded. Illusive Force and Esprit Du Roi, moved as a pair until the top of the stretch, when Esprit Du Roi shook loose of Illusive Force and took the lead.
Esprit Du Roi, trained by Tom Gardipy, was claimed in Keeneland before coming to Assiniboia Downs for $10,000. The Chilean bred 9-year-old has won more $250,000 in his career and could award his connections for the move north.
Brinello made Manitoba proud as the only Manitoba bred horse in the race. Trained by Carl Anderson, Brinello sat mid-pack down the backstretch and began moving in the turn between horses and finished third. Charley Tango, trained by last year's leading trainer Marty Drexler, overcame a bad start and finished fourth.
The Free Press Stakes, featuring the best sprinters at Assiniboia Downs will take place on Father's Day, Sunday, June 15.
