Hawthorne Race Course

Contact: Mitch Demick (708) 222-4542

Mongoose Gold maintains good form in Merry Colleen Stakes

Mongoose Gold between horses gets up

Stickney, IL – On the second day of the spring meet at Hawthorne, some nice fillies and mares did battle in the first stakes race of the season, the Merry Colleen. Run for a purse of $50,000, the six-furlong event turned into a real tussle through the lane, which saw Mongoose Gold emerge victorious by a half length over Paddie Wak Wakie. It was only a nose further back to Nicks, one half of the favored Christine Janks entry. The final time over a sloppy track was 1:12.09.

As expected Big Lou was sent immediately to the front, but Nicks and jockey Lyndie Wade were hard on the heals of the front runner through a swift opening quarter in 22.42. The two fillies approached the half as a team in 46.1, with Mongoose sitting chilly right behind the dueling leaders under a patient Tanner Riggs.

Approaching the stretch, Mongoose Gold tipped out and gradually wore down the front runners while holding off Paddie Wak Wakie, who hung slightly while approaching the finish.

Mongoose Gold is an Illinois-bred 5-year-old mare, claimed three races back by trainer Tammy Domenosky, for owners Alan and Beverly Kasdan. The win was Mongoose Gold’s eighth career triumph and her $31,500 payday pushed her lifetime earnings to $241,598.

The winner paid $15.40 $7.40 and $2.60.

The Estate of Thomas Carey has owned and operated Hawthorne Race Course for 100 years, distinguishing it as the oldest continuously family-owned and operated race track in the nation. As the oldest sports venue in Illinois, Hawthorne Race Course has been an integral player in the legendary heritage of Chicago sports entertainment. Hawthorne Race Course begins its Spring Thoroughbred meet on Friday, March 6, 2009 and will continue through April 27, 2009. Post time is 1:25 pm central time for all live racing. Dark days will be Tuesday and Wednesdays. We are located at 3501 S. Laramie Avenue, Cicero, IL 60804. For more information on Hawthorne Race Course visit www.hawthorneracecourse.com or call 708-780-3700.