Bally’s Arapahoe Park: Week 11
Bally’s Arapahoe Park’s 2024 meeting concluded on Sunday, Nov. 17. The meet saw 30 race days beginning on Sep. 6.
Runnin on Promises runs away in Gold Rush
Runnin on Promises, a new face to the Stetson Rushton barn, won the Gold Rush Futurity (Black Type) in her first appearance at Arapahoe Park closing day.
Runnin on Promises went off as the fourth choice, off of races in northern California. The first-crop Promises Fulfilled filly broke fastest and went gate to wire, fending off a late bid from CTBA Lassie winner Friendly Spirit. Runnin on Promises’ winning margin was 2 ¾ in 1:12.23. Friendly Spirit was second. Sweetwater Accredited Wyoming Bred Thoroughbred Futurity winner Ginger in Charge was third. CTBA Laddie winner Kosari was the post-time favorite and finished fifth, beaten 12 ½ lengths.
Runnin on Promises was bred in Kentucky by Del Secco DCS Racing. Runnin on Promises was the first homebred winner for Del Secco DCS Racing when she was awarded a victory in a maiden claiming when she was impeded while finishing second. Runnin on Promises was making her first start for owner Kevin Waggoner in the Gold Rush Futurity. She is the first stakes winner for Del Secco DCS Racing as a breeder.
Runnin on Promises is the first stakes winner for G1W Promises Fulfilled (Shackleford). Promises Fulfilled stands at Winstar Farm for $5,000. Runnin on Promises is out of the Hansen mare Runnin for Tuition, a half-sister to G1P Kaling.
Subsidize pays off in Butch Gleason Classic
Rushton Thoroughbreds claim Subsidize earned them huge dividends when he won the Butch Gleason Classic on Nov. 17. Subsidize was claimed by trainer Stetson Rushton for the family stable for $5,000 when he won a starter optional claiming by 11 ¾ lengths at Arapahoe Park on Oct. 4. In the two stakes appearances since the claim, Subsidize has earned $30,660.
Subsidize was the post-time favorite in the Butch Gleason off his recent second in the Front Range and series of wins-- including two double-digit triumphs over a mile, one of which was a track-record setting performance at Elko County Fair.
Subsidize broke well from gate 8 and allowed longshot Athens Moon to cross to the rail and take over the lead heading into the first turn. The first quarter of a mile was slow in 24.45 seconds. Subsidize eased his way up to the neck of Athens Moon exiting the first turn. Subsidize inherited the lead from a tired Athens Moon in the stretch and drew away from Drivehappy’s late-rally into second. 2023 Arapahoe Park Derby winner My Man Biggie completed the trifecta in his first start since March. The nine furlongs were completed in 1:53.69 and the winning margin 6 ¾ lengths.
Subsidize was bred in Kentucky by Machmer Hall. He is by multiple-time leading sire Into Mischief and out of the Cherokee Run mare Diva Star. The Butch Gleason Classic was Subsidize’s first career stakes victory.
Russel wins Cherry Creek Futurity via disqualification
Celenes’s Racing Russel is still undefeated after unofficial winner Paramounte Wagon Jr was disqualified from the Cherry Creek Futurity on closing day.
Paramounte Wagon Jr broke outward from post 10 and impeded the paths of Lota Hocks and Don Pepe C when winning by a half length over Russel. A steward’s inquiry determined that Paramounte Wagon Jr had significantly interfered and he was disqualified to last, giving runner-up Russel the win.
Russel broke well from post 4 and drifted out for much of the race. He finished 1 ¼ length clear of third-place Dynastys Gold Eagle on the rail. Russel’s final time for the 350 yards was 18.091 seconds.
Russel made his career debut in the first Cherry Creek Futurity trial on Oct. 19 when he won by a neck in 17.975 seconds. Russel is by G2W Pyc Fun N Fancy and out of Arapahoe Park stakes-placed One Two (One Sweet Jess).
Presido Pete proves best in Lucille Rowe Derby
Lucille Rowe Derby fastest qualifier Presido Pete remained fastest when he won the $102,555 final on closing day.
Presidio Pete was elected the post-time favorite from post 4. He broke nearly length quicker than his opponents and sharply drifted out midway. He straightened out late to hold off a charge from 2023 Cherry Creek Futurity winner Six Good Kicks to win by a length. The final time was 17.847 seconds for the 350 yards.
The Lucille Rowe Derby was Presido Pete’s first career stakes win. Presido Pete is by The Marfa Lights and out of Tahiti Wave (Wave Carver). He is a half-brother to 2022 Rocky Mountain Futurity winner Pulgarcitos Moonin. Presido Pete races for breeder Franciso J. Cornejo and is trained by Haley Hobbs.
Art Queen crowned in Debutante
Mark Hibdon trainee Art Queen sprung a slight upset when winning the 6f Debutante on Nov. 16 by 4 ½ lengths. It was the first stakes win for the Tonalist filly.
Art Queen got away well from post 3 and rated 3 lengths back in fifth behind the leading trio of Arizona Reina, Cressons Lil Charm and Zorina. The leaders set quick enough fractions with the first quarter in 22.15 and the half in 45.66. Arizona Reina gained a narrow lead on the home turn over Zorina to the outside. Arizona Reina began to drift out on the turn and stretch, leaving a ton of clear racetrack for Art Queen on the inside. Art Queen spurted through the gap to gain a 4 ½ length victory. The final time for the 6f was 1:11.82.
Art Queen is by 2014 Belmont Stakes winner Tonalist and out of the Elusive Quality mare Dontstopquitno. Art Queen was ridden by David Cardoso for owner/trainer Mark Hibdon.
Toomanynames crushes Arapahoe Park Derby foes
Toomanynames got his first career stakes win in the 8.5f Arapahoe Park Derby on Nov. 16. He went off as the clear post time favorite off his 6f allowance romp on Oct. 27.
Toomanynames broke well under jockey Adrian Ramos from gate 8 and allowed Sharma’d and All About Mischief to make the pace. Toomanynames ran 5 wide on the first turn while tracking the leading duo from fourth. Going into the home turn, Red Frost in third and Toomanynames made early attacks at the tiring leaders. While Sharma’d faded and Red Frost flattened out, All About Mischief remained strong on the front end holding Toomanynames a length back. Colorado-bred All About Mischief and Toomanynames came into the stretch neck and neck, but once Toomanynames switched leads it was all over and he drew off for a 4 length victory. All About Mischief was second, 4 lengths ahead of Red Frost.
Toomanynames races for Vance Alfrey and Stuart Eskew. Toomanynames is trained by Stacey Rushton, who purchased him for $5,000 at the 2022 Keeneland September Sale. Toomanynames is by Jimmy Creed and out of Greatest Show (Seattle Slew).
Jess No Secrets upsets Rocky Mountain Championship
Third-longest shot Jess No Secrets pulled off a huge upset to get his first career stakes win in the 440yd Rocky Mountain Championship.
Breaking from the rail, the No Secrets Here gelding broke quickly and maintained a straight path. Jess No Secrets was briefly challenged by Mr Dash Fire, but was able to get his neck back in front for the win.The final time was 22.225 seconds. Post-time favorite and defending champion Kali K finished fourth by a half length with no obvious excuses.
Jess No Secrets was third in the Dolls Prodigy and Leo Beau Dash this meeting. He is a homebred for Ross Alire and trained by Rick Scudder. Blake Nunnally had the mount in the Rocky Mountain Championship.
Meet leader titles awarded
After 30 race days, meet leaders were revealed.
Collusionist was the highest earning thoroughbred racehorse with over $70,000 banked. 8 thoroughbred racehorses had 3 wins at the meeting-- including stakes winners Collusionist, Tennessee Moon and Subsidize. Tennessee Moon earned the highest Equibase speed figure, 99, when romping the Molly Brown Stakes opening weekend.
The highest earning quarter horse is undefeated Cherry Creek Futurity winner Russel. Lucille Rowe Derby winner Presido Pete and 2023 Gold Rush Futurity winner Smyly are tied for most race wins with 3 each. Mr Dash Fire and Smyly had the highest Equibase speed figure of 95.
David Cardoso was the clear leader in the thoroughbred jockey standings. He had the most wins (50), banked just over $669,000, the highest win percentage (35%) and was in the top 3 73% of the time.
Martin Lazalde had nine quarter horse race wins, one more than Cordarelton Benn who was the highest earning quarter horse jockey with $135,963 in earnings.
The leading thoroughbred trainer was Mark Hibdon with 36 wins, 20 more than Stetson Rushton in second. Mark Hibdon earned $438,465 as a trainer. The leading quarter horse trainer was Chris Gandarilla with 12 wins and over $220,000 in earnings.
Mark Hibdon was also the leading thoroughbred owner with 36 wins and over $433,000 in earnings. Francis Heckendorf Jr. and Eli Diamant were tied for second-most wins with 5 each.
Celenes’s Racing was the leading quarter horse owner in wins (8) and earnings ($148,707).
Photos: 1) Runnin on Promises wins the Gold Rush Futurity, 2) Subsidize wins the Butch Gleason Classic, 3) Russel wins the Cherry Creek Futurity, 4) Presido Pete wins the Lucille Rowe Derby, 5) Art Queen wins an allowance opening weekend, 6) Toomanynames wins an allowance Oct. 27, 7) Jess No Secrets after the 2023 Rocky Mountain Championship.
