Back to Charles Town Race, in Charlestwon West Virginia
I am going back to the horse races at Charles Town Races (and Casino) in Charlestown, West Virginia tonight. The card looks good and although Friday is usually my favorite night to go, tonight looks good, too. Although if I can't pull it off with the ponies tonight then I'll try to win some of back in slots.
I like Tomorrows Peach in the 8th. It is a combination of a good solid horse and Juan de Dios Acosta is one of my favorite jockeys at Charlestown. He is a nice guy.

posted by Casino 5:54 PM

Thursday, July 10, 2003

 
I thought I would post this press release from Charles Town Races in West Virginia.
I missed the race, unfortunatley, because it might have been a lot of fun.

---------------------- 
Charles Town Dash

Friday night July 4th an old racing adage once again proved its merit that class is king when Sea of Green winner of over five hundred thousand dollars rallied to capture the Independance Day feature. The five-year-old Florida bred owned and trained by Janis Gerace stole the show under substitute jockey Nilo Perez. The Philadelphia Park based runner saved his fireworks display for his on the track performance. Sparingly raced in his career the venerable sprinter closed in the middle of the track to take down the lion's share of the one hundred thousand dollar purse. The victor benefited from a torrid speed duel between Baby Shark and Bill the Banker who sizzled the opening quarter in twenty-one seconds. Racing over a dull track that was pummeled by rain showers earlier in the card the field still managed to turn in some scintillating fractions on route to a final clocking of fifty-two seconds flat.

Multiple stakes winner Baby Shark determinedly held on to second place. His early turn of foot is electrifying and his record of not being outrun the opening quarter mile in his last ten races remains intact. Last years "Dash" winner Sheryar Special had a dream trip while saving ground but could not match the closing fury of Sea of Green while failing to change his leads in the stretch run.

Michael Gill's Boston Brat who was the 6-5-program choice seemed to dislike the muddy surface and was never a serious contender.

Winner Sea of Green allowed his supporters to see green as he returned a generous mutuel of thirty-three dollars. The exacta combination of Sea of Green and Baby Shark paid one hundred and one dollars.

With the picturesque trophy impressively in the background "Dash" originator Richard Watson of the H.B.P.A. and Director of Racing James Hammond officiated over the winning ceremonies.

Numerous turf writers were on hand to cover what has become the signature event of the summer. Plans are already in the early discussion phase to increase next years purse in an attempt to garner graded status.

Congratulations go out to jockey Anthony Mawing who captured the spring meeting riding title with forty-six wins. Apprentice Oscar Flores was second with forty-five victories even though he missed the last month due to injury.

The trainer's standings ended in a tie with perennial heavyweights Ronney Brown and Jeff Runco each notching thirty-five wins.

The hottest combination of trainer and rider was unequivocally Runco and Flores who commanded a win percentage of thirty three percent together.

The "Gem of the Blue Ridge" Owners Day is rapidly approaching. Sunday, July 20th the best feast in the east will take place at the Charles Town Races. This year the celestial day of racing will feature a giveaway jointly sponsored by the racetrack and the H.B.P.A. Five John Deere mowers will be raffled off to highlight the ten-race program.

Jeff Gilleas


posted by Casino 2:54 PM