ARLINGTON NOTES
| Arlington Park Stakes Results
Contact: David Zenner (847) 385-7535 'COWBOY' STRUTS STUFF IN ROUND TABLE STAKES ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill (July 27, 2002) -- Shelley Bates & Don Von Hemel's Cowboy Stuff led every step of the way en route to a two-length victory in the $100,000 Round Table Stakes Saturday at Arlington Park. Jockey Patrick Valenzuela rode the Iowa-bred son of Evansville Slew who covered the mile and an eighth over a track rated as muddy in stakes-record time of 1:48.98. The win, his second straight and sixth in nine career outings, was worth $60,000 and elevated his earnings to $225,714. Breaking from post position four in the nine-horse field, Cowboy Stuff took the field through uncontested honest fractions of 23.87 seconds for the opening quarter, 47.11 for the half, a three-quarter-mile split in 1:11.07 and a mile in 1:35.71 while staying well off the rail. "It was a very exciting race," said winning trainer Don Von Hemel, who bred and co-owns the colt. "I thought we'd be on the lead but Pat (Valenzuela) really rode a masterful race. We've had the leading Iowa-bred for the last four years now." Pass Rush was in second throughout the race while A. P. Five Hundred, the 17-10 betting favorite, was third. Windward Passage, Colorful Tour, Resident Rogue, Sharp Gold, Rainy Parade and Thunderpumper completed the order of finish. "He ran good," said Pass Rush's jockey, Larry Melancon. "We were second best. We weren't going to catch the winner." "I like this horse a lot," said jockey Robby Albarado of beaten favorite A. P. Five Hundred. "He has a lot of energy, but has a lot to learn. He did a good job for a big race." Cowboy Stuff paid $10.40, $6,00 and $3.80. Pass Rush returned $5.80 and $3.60. A. P. Five Hundred paid $3.00. - END - |