Balmoral Park (9/18/11)
Contact: Tom Kelley
(708) 672-1414
Gotta Let It Go beats better fancied pacers in the Pete Langley Memorial
By Tom Krish
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| Gotta Let It Go teamed up with driver Mike Oosting to take the $188,000 Pete Langley Memorial Final in 1:52.0 which shaved seven seconds off the geldings lifetime best. |
Gotta Let It Go, a three year-old Cole Muffler gelding, was a 10-1 chance in Balmoral Park’s morning line in the Pete Langley Memorial. The race for Illinois-bred sophomores carried a purse of $188,000.
Gotta Let It Go, after an 0-for-3 record as a freshman, had compiled a 14-2-2-3 record this year for earnings of $11,552. The total stood at $11,966. The opposition was formidable. If there was a silver lining, it was the presence of Michael Oosting in the sulky. Astute handicappers took a second look at Gotta Let It Go’s elimination in which the Tom Simmons pupil had finished fourth and was off a length and three quarters behind the winner. The odds were 18/1 as the starter summoned the ten sophomores.
Boi, Rockin Rumble and Dutch Richman fought one another and He’s So Hot was trying to stage a rally from the rear. Gotta Let It Go was a backmarker and content to save ground. The fast pace took its toll. The speed began to back up. Driver Oosting, already with a winning drive on The Assassinator under his belt, found a seam and Gotta Let It Go began to gain places. With a furlong to go, Gotta Let It Go was four and one half lengths away and in sixth place. Using the open stretch, Oosting and Gotta Let It Go quickened spiritedly to win by a head from Boi who was prominent all the way and went down fighting in a tight finish. Dutch Richman, coming first up, cleared, led under pressure and was collared late in the lane.
Boi took the field to a 27.1 first quarter. Dutch Richman was in front with the half coming in 54.1. A weakening Dutch Richman covered three quarters in 1:22.3 and Gotta Let It Go reached the wire in 1:52. The return was $39.80, $12.60 and $4.80.
Gotta Let It Go won $83,660 for his Pete Langley win. The bankroll now is $95,626. In 18 starts, the roan gelding has won three times. Broadway Elite, a Broadway Express mare, is Gotta Let It Go’s dam.
Driver Oosting admitted that he did not know what to expect when he accepted the drive. “The elimination was good. It raised our hopes. I did not know if I had the best horse. I got a good trip and found room to go along with it. “
The owners of Gotta Let It Go referred to the four-hour drive that brought them to Chicago. “It is worth it. It is wonderful,” one of the owners stated.
For more information visit www.balmoralpark.com or call (708) 672-1414.
About Balmoral Park: Located in Crete, IL just 12 miles south of 80/94; Balmoral Park has been one of the nation's premier horse racing facilities since 1926. Balmoral Park features live racing every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Admission and parking is always free.
