Bally’s Arapahoe Park: Week 9

Parsons-trainee’s sweep CTBA Juvenile races in dominant fashion

Colorado-bred 2-year-olds knocked heads on Saturday in the CTBA Lassie and Laddie Stakes. Both stakes were won by bays from the Riley Parsons barn for breeder Francis A. Heckendorf, Jr.

First up was Friendly Spirit in the CTBA Lassie. Going off as the heavy favorite, Friendly Spirit rated kindly for jockey Nathan Haar. The pair tracked from fourth, allowing the trio of leaders Lady Admiral, Golden Beauty and Stolen Funds to tire each other out on the front end. On the turn, Friendly Spirit swung four-wide past the tiring leaders and quickly began to draw off in the straight on the incorrect lead. Friendly Spirit won by 8 lengths and finished the six furlongs in 1:12.96. 

Pacesetter Lady Admiral (Midshipman) was second for trainer Russell Vicchrilli and breeder Lynne M. McGregor. She is a half-sibling to CTBA Stakes winning Tulsa Te mares Celee’s Te and Celee’s Last Te.

Around an hour later, Kosari won the 4-horse exhibition CTBA Laddie. Breaking on top under Haar, Kosari established a clear lead out of the gate by two lengths. Kosari set his own moderate tempo and dominated the group by 8 ¼ lengths while never asked. He finished the six furlongs in 1:13.09, slightly slower than stablemate Friendly Spirit. 

Both may reappear in the six furlong Gold Rush Futurity on closing day, Nov. 10. The Gold Rush is open to any 2-year-old thoroughbred-- nominations close on Thursday, Oct. 31. 

CTBA Lassie winner Friendly Spirit is sired by Ghostzapper and out of a Smart Strike daughter of 2000 Eclipse Champion Turf Mare Perfect Sting. She was foaled on February 12, 11 days earlier than stablemate Kosari. Kosari is sired by Audible and out of the Indian Charlie mare Conjuress. He is a half sibling to SW Release McCraken and the dam of the 2020 Ohio-bred Champion 2-year-old Male Buckeye Magic.

Collusionist wins fifth straight CTBA Mount Elbert

Collusionist, the highest-earning Colorado-bred of all-time, won his fifth consecutive CTBA Mount Elbert. At post time he was the co-second choice due to a pair of shock defeats in his form at Arapahoe Park this year. 

The quintet all got away from the gate well with post-time favorite Quicktrip Van hustling to the lead from the rail facing outside pressure from Wheeler Dealer. Jockey David Cardoso guided Collusionist to the rail to track the pacesetters about two lengths back in third. Positions remained the same for much of the backstretch, until they approached the home turn. Nearing the turn Collusionist was asked for patience while Tombi and Win for Fun advanced on the outside of tiring leaders Quicktrip Van and Win for Fun. As soon as the outside was clear, Cardoso guided Collusionist to the outside and asked him to run. When they entered the straight, Collusionist was still two lengths back from new leader Tombi but ran him down to win his fifth CTBA Mount Elbert by a length. 

As a 3-year-old, Collusionist won the 8.5f CTBA Mount Elbert for the first time by a neck over Whiskeydrunkagain. In 2020, he won it by 14 lengths. The race was not run in 2021, although he was nominated and won the open allowance race that was carded as a replacement. In 2022 he won by 1 ¾ lengths over Tuff Willy Te with a double digit margin to third. The 2023 edition was run over 7 furlongs instead of the traditional 8.5, but it was no issue for Collusionist who again won by 3 lengths over Tuff Willy Te.

Collusionist was bred in Colorado by William Matthews Family Trust. He sold to Eli Diamant as hip 51 at the Colorado Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Yearling Sale. He is by Arizona-based stallion EZ Effort and out of the Benchmark mare Pretty Amazing. Pretty Amazing is a full sister to G1W Idiot Proof. Pretty Amazing has an unstarted 2-year-old colt named Amazing Money (Save Big Money). She produced a full brother to Collusionist in 2023 who sold to Eli Diamant for $11,000 and a full sister this year.

Seven entered in mile-and-a-sixteenth CTBA Spicy

In this year’s CTBA Spicy, all but one mare entered are already CTBA Stakes winners. There is:  5 CTBA Oaks winners, 3 former Spicy winners and 2 CTBA Lassie winners. The CTBA Spicy will be run on Sunday, Nov. 3.

As of this story’s writing, the morning-line for Sunday’s card has not been published, but favoritism will likely be the 3-year-old filly Long May She Run, CTBA LarriLou winner Celee’s Last Te, or defending champion Rockin Marie.

Long May She Run enters the Spicy off a dominant 9-length win in the 1m70yd CTBA Oaks. Prior to that she was second to Celee’s Last Te in the CTBA LarriLou. Celee’s Last Te was last seen finishing fifth in an open allowance after dueling the nation’s leading winner and two-time meet stakes winner Tennessee Moon. Celee’s Last Te won the CTBA Spicy in 2022. Defending champion Rockin Marie has won twice since last year’s Spicy, including a starter optional claiming last out. Rockin Marie was beaten by Celee’s Last Te in the CTBA LarriLou and Hank Mills Stakes at Wyoming Downs.

Photos: 1) CTBA Spicy field, 2 & 3) Collusionist wins the 2024 CTBA Mount Elbert, 4) Collusionist is loved on prior to the CTBA Mount Elbert, 5) CTBA Lassie winner Friendly Spirit breaks her maiden, 6) 2023 CTBA Spicy winner Rockin Marie, 7) Celee’s Last Te wins the 2022 CTBA Spicy.