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Carse Wows James Racetrack Fans with Fastest 7.5 Furlongs in 10 Years

May 26, 2008 — The TRAXCO Memorial Day race card was filled with many exciting races, with three that could have easily taken top billing Sunday.
The 1 1/16 mile sixth race, won by Black Jack Bob by a nose, and the one-mile feature race, won by Kentucky Kris, were both memorable. But the performance turned in by Carse in the $3,500, 7.5 furlongs seventh race earned top billing.
Carse, with jockey Elmo Barnes in the irons, treated the small Memorial Day race crowd at the Randall "Doc" James Racetrack to the fastest 7.5 furlongs since 1999 when he burned his way around the track in a time of 1:30.4. It was exactly one second off the track record of 1:29.4 set by Silver Expert in 1994 and equaled by Fatheruco in 1999. Carse took command at the break and quickly opened up three lengths on the field. He took the field into the backstretch and quickly extended his lead to six lengths.
The only horse in the field that tried to pick up the challenge was Prayerful from St. Thomas, who seemed to gain on the front runner approaching the far turn. When Carse hit that turn, however, he just seemed to explode around the corner, so that by the time he hit the top of the stretch it was not whether he would win but by how much. It was also obvious to the racing fans that they were witnessing something special, and they stood and cheered the gray speedster all the way to the finish line. Prayerful held on for second, with debutante Mi Jesuse placing third.
In the day's feature race, the one-mile eight for a purse of $4,100, Kentucky Kris — with jockey Juan Santiago — and Gallego — with Christian Soto in the irons — put on a stretch duel that also gave the fans a lot to cheer about. The crowd saw Gallego take the lead at the top of the stretch, only to see Kentucky Kris came back to draw even. Gallego again took the lead and looked on his way to victory when Kentucky Kris came up with a late burst of speed to win by 1.5 lengths at the wire in a time of 1:38. Idol Worship, who had a bad break, closed well for third.
The battle of battles on the day was in the sixth race, run at a distance of 1 1/16 miles for a purse of $3,600. Black Jack Bob and Crafty Smile hooked up at the three-eight poles and battled all the way to the wire, where Black Jack Bob, with jockey Junior Inirio, won by a long nose over Crafty Smile and jockey Alberto Ojedo. Strong Passer and jockey Christian Soto set a hot early pace at the break, opening three lengths around the clubhouse turn. He took the five-horse field into the backstretch, maintaining his three-length lead. Midway down the backstretch, Black Jack Bob and Crafty Smile kicked it into high gear and quickly reeled in Strong Passer. They blew by Strong Passer, racing as one around the far turn. With everyone in the stands on their feet loudly cheering them on, these two animals battled down the stretch to give the fans one for the ages. Over Payment and jockey Juan Almedina finished third as Strong Passer faded to fourth.
The rest of the day's results:
Race 1 5 F Class H, Jockey
Time: 1:04.4
1. Fifty Cents, Junior Inirio
2. High Times, Christian Soto
3. Bold Star, Angel Acosta
Race 2 7 F Class F2&G
Time: 1:31.3
1. Al-Abjard, Junior Inirio
2. Them Ah Talk, Warren Knight
3. Emerald Star, Christian Soto
Race 3 1 M Class E
Time: 1:41.4
1. Cat Hunter, Alberto Ojeda
2. Eagle Feather, Elmo Barnes
3. Tulsa Boy, Christian Soto (DH)
3. Honor the Queen, Alphonso Claudio (DH)
Race 4 7.5 F Open M&F
Time: 1:35
1. She's Got the Helm, Christian Soto
2. Trick Hunter, Junior Inirio
3. Runaway Vow, Warren Knight
Race 5 7F Classes D&E
Time: 1:27.4
1. El Rollo, Junior Inirio
2. Pintaylor, Angel Viera
3. My Dream Team, Isail Acosta
Race 9 7 F Class F(1)&F(2)
Time: 1:29.5
1. King David, Edgar Walker
2. Fightforyourrights, Angel Viera
3. Broncos Jig, Elmo Barnes
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