Bally’s Arapahoe Park: Week 4
Collusionist back on top in CTBA Aspen
Four horses stretched across the track in the CTBA Aspen’s homestretch. That’s when Collusionist kicked into high gear on the far outside to gain victory by a 1 ½ lengths. It was his second win of the year and first since winning the Inaugural Handicap at Wyoming Downs on June 8. This was Collusionist’s second win in the CTBA Aspen. He was the defending champion going into the race, since he won the race in 2020 when it was last run.
Collusionist went off as the third choice, Arapahoe County Commissioner’s Stakes winner Quicktrip Van was favored with runner up Wheeler Dealer going off as the second choice. It was the first time Collusionist was not favored at Arapahoe Park since the 2019 CTBA Mount Elbert Stakes, which was his first start against older males in his 3-year-old season.
Fans can expect the majority of the CTBA Aspen field to return in the Sunday, Oct. 27 CTBA Mount Elbert Stakes. If Collusionist is entered in the CTBA Mount Elbert he will be attempting to win his fifth straight CTBA Mount Elbert. The race was not run in 2021.
Celee’s Last Te takes inaugural LarriLou
The CTBA LarriLou Stakes honoring the late Colorado Thoroughbred Association executive director and secretary LarriLou Kallsen was run on Sep. 21. 6 Colorado-bred fillies and mares were entered for the 6 furlong contest.
Winner Celee’s Last Te broke in tandem with post-time favorite Rockin Marie to set the pace. Celee’s Last Te gained control around the turn and drew away to a 6 ¼ lengths victory. 3-year-old filly Long May She Run, who won an allowance named after Kallsen in 2023, was second.
The CTBA LarriLou was Celee’s Last Te’s fifth career stakes victory. Celee’s Last Te is by Tulsa Te and out of Celee (Congaree). She is a full sister to MSW Celee’s Te.
Kali K returns in Leo Beau Dash
Top Colorado-bred quarter horse Kali K will make her 2024 debut on Saturday, Sep. 28 in the 350yd Leo Beau Dash for Colorado-bred quarter horses 3-year-olds and older.
Last out Kali K won the Rocky Mountain Championship on closing day Sep. 10, 2023. She finished third in this race last year. Kali K is the winner of the 2023 Pen Pal, the 2022 Lucille Rowe Derby, and 2021 Mile High Futurity.
Also entered in Mr Dash Fire the recent winner of the Dolls Prodigy opening weekend. Mr Dash Fire is the 5-2 morning line favorite.
Rocky Mountain Derby and Futurity Fields finalized
Entries for the Rocky Mountain Derby and Futurity were taken on Sep. 22. The Rocky Mountain Derby and Futurity will be run on Sunday, Sep. 29. The Derby drew 13 entrants with 3 also-eligible. The Futurity drew 12 with 2 also-eligible. The Rocky Mountain Derby will go as race 6 at 3:05pm. The Rocky Mountain Futurity is Sunday’s nightcap and will go off at 3:55pm.
2-year-old filly Glittr Factory is the morning-line favorite in the Rocky Mountain Futurity. She will break from post 5 with jockey Martin Lazalde up. 2023 Rocky Mountain Futurity winner Just Run By is the 2-1 morning-line favorite in the Rocky Mountain Futurity with fastest qualifier Injeanius listed as the 7/2 second choice. 2023 Mile High Futurity winner Smyly is listed at 6-1.
All About Mischief crushes CO-bred allowance
Lotsa Mischief gelding All About Mischief showed up ready to cause a scene in a CO-bred 3-year-olds allowance on Sep. 21. The Riley Parsons trainee pulled away to a 12 ½ length lead in what was just his third career start and first at Arapahoe Park.
All About Mischief went off as the second choice and was patiently rated by jockey Nathan Haar after favored Palace Patch lost the jockey at the start. Once they turned for home, All About Mischief was quick to show his superiority finishing the 5 furlongs in 59.36 wrapped up.
All About Mischief debuted on June 7 against open company in a Maiden Special Weight at Prairie Meadows and finished fourth and last after a tardy start. On Sep. 1 All About Mischief broke his maiden in his second start, a maiden claimer at Prairie Meadows by 5 ¼ and a final time of 1:04.88 for 5.5 furlongs.
As a 3-year-old Colorado-bred, All About Mischief could go in the CTBA Derby Stakes on Sunday, October 13.
All About Mischief is by Lotsa Mischief and out of Miss Castelli, making him a half brother to SW Go Little Te, SP Call Me Mr Te, and SP Tulsa Time. All About Mischief was bred by Russell Vicchrilli and is owned and trained by Riley Parsons.
Photos: 1) Rocky Mountain Derby Field, 2) Rocky Mountain Futurity Field, 3) Leo Beau Dash Field, 4) Collusionist wins the 2022 Mount Elbert Stakes, 5) Celee’s Last Te wins the 2022 CTBA Spicy Stakes, 6) Kali K wins the 2023 Rocky Mountain Championship Stakes, 7) Smyly wins the 2023 Mile High Futurity, 8) Go Little Te after the 2019 Gold Rush Futurity.
