March 24, 2008 — Fantastic Four waited almost six months to avenge two consecutive losses to Guavaberry Star, and on Sunday he got that sweet revenge at the Randall "Doc" James racetrack.
Fantastic Four was able to put a long neck in front at the wire to claim a hard-fought victory in the seven-furlongs sixth race that had fans buzzing long after the horses had gone back to the paddock. Local fans — who had also waited for this race to happen — got their money's worth and then some. Although there were six other horses in the race, these two went out early and quickly let it be known that this was going to be a two-horse race.
At the break, Fantastic Four, with Christian Soto in the irons, was first out of the gates and took the early lead. Guavaberry Star, the filly who had given the gate handlers the usual tough time to load her, was off a bit slow, but quickly raced up to join her arch rival on the front end as they moved around the clubhouse turn. These two quickly opened up four lengths on the rest of the field as they entered the back stretch.
What a battle ensued as these two talented, native-bred thoroughbreds duked it out down the back stretch, with the lead exchanging several times by not more than a nose. As they reached the three-eight markers, Guavaberry Star, with Elmo Barnes aboard, seemed to gain a slight advantage, which she maintained around the far turn.
At the turn for home, however, she went a little wide and Fantastic Four, hugging the rail, was able to come away with the lead for the run to the wire. Guavaberry Star battled back again to appear to draw even, but Fantastic Four looked the fresher of the two coming down the lane and was able to draw away ever so slightly for the close win at the wire.
Honor Bonus, with jockey with Isul Acosta in the irons, closed with a rush for a very close third on the outside of the two natives. In fact, the gray colt came close to surprising the top two as he was third by no more than three-quarters of a length behind the winner. The time of the race was 1:34.4.
In the Myron Johannes Classic, the one mile eight race for the top imports, Carson Secrets continued with his winning ways with his fourth consecutive victory in dominating style. The Stanley Acoy-trained dark brown gelding, ridden by Junior Inirio, exploded down the home stretch to win, going away, by five lengths in an unhurried time of 1:40.3. Producing his best effort since coming off the injured list, Black Jack Bob, with jockey Juan Santiago in the irons, was able to outduel Gallego and jockey Angel Viera for second.
The rest of the day's results:
Race 1 4F Class H, Jockey
Time: 50.3
1. High Times, Christian Soto
2. Fifty Cents, Junior Inirio
3. Pull De Trigger, Alphonso Claudio
Race 2 4 1/2 F Class G
Time: 55.4
1. Mario Candelario, Angel Viera
2. Tenacity, Elmo Barnes
3. Them Ah Talk, Alphonso Claudio
Race 3 7 1/2 F Class F(1)
Time: 1:35.2
1. Beautiful Chelsea, Elmo Barnes
2. Eagle Feather, Junior Inirio
3. Quelbe Queen, Miguel Sanchez
Race 4 1M Class E (M&F)
Time: 1:40.4
1. Trick Hunter, Junior Inirio
2. Juguetona, Alphonso Claudio
3. Eltish Mota, Angel Viera
Race 5 7 1/2 F Class D & E
Time: 1:34.4
1. El Rollo, Junior Inirio
2. Marfin Express, Angel Viera
3. Tulsa Boy, Christian Soto
Race 7 7 1/2 F Class C
Time: 1:34.4
1. Formally Cat, Christian Soto
2. My Dream Team, Junior Inirio
3. Danzig Mon, Jesus Guadelupe
Race 9 6 furlongs Class F(2)
Time: 1:19.1
1. Fantasia, Christian Soto
2. Heavenly Brass, Angel Viera
3. Al-abjar, Junior Inirio
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