March 16, 2009 — Emerald Star took the lead at the halfway marker in the six-furlongs Darby Martinez Memorial Handicap and drew away for an easy five-lengths victory at the Randall "Doc" James race track on Sunday. The $3,500 race, named in honor of former track veterinarian David "Darby" Martinez, was negotiated by Emerald Star in a time of 1:15.3.
At the break it was Fightforyourrights with jockey Steve Powell in the irons who was fastest out of the gates, with Dana Star and jockey Kevin Krigger a close second, followed by Emerald Star and jockey Christian Soto another half length back. The rest of the field was bunched another length behind.
Dana's Express took the lead by a long neck as the field entered the backstretch with Fightforyourrights, Tristich and jockey Elmo Barnes and Emerald Star right there in her hip pocket, with the rest of the field not too far back.
At the halfway marker, Soto asked Emerald Star for a little more run and he responded by moving up and taking the lead. At the three-eight pole, Emerald Star exploded around the far turn, drawing away with every stride. It was obvious from that point that the race would now be for second place, because there was no catching the front runner.
Fightforyourrights hit the top of the stretch in second place, followed by Dana's Express and a fast-closing Prince Crystal with jockey Jesus Guadelupe aboard, racing along the rail.
With Emerald Star long gone, the battle for second was now joined between Fightforyourrights and Prince Crystal as they raced down stretch to the wire. In the end the Prince was able to overtake Fightforyourrights at mid-stretch to claim second-place honors six lengths behind the winner, Emerald Star. Fightforyourrights was not too far back in third, with Dana's Express a fading fourth.
In the sixth race for top import thoroughbreds, Formally Cat, with Soto in the irons, pulled off a mild upset when he got by the seven-furlongs race favorite Green Sand and jockey Angel Viera in the stretch before holding off a fast-closing Black Jack Bob and jockey Junior Inirio at the wire to win by a neck.
At the break, Green Sand was fastest out of the gates with Emilin and jockey Kevin Krigger a close second.
The pace was hot as they ran down the backstretch, with Green Sand leading the way and Emlin pressing him in second. Running in third was Crafty Smile, with Formally Cat a close fourth. Black Jack Bob was another 10 lengths back. As the field moved around the far turn, Green Sand drew clear by a length, with Formally Cat making his move along the rail to overtake Emilin for second. A roar went up from the crowd as the horses approached mid-stretch, because with Formally Cat slowly reeling in Green Sand, from out of nowhere, Black Jack Bob appeared in the mix, closing on the leaders like a runaway freight train. However, the wire was also approaching fast, and although Black Jack Bob was gaining with every stride, he ran out of racing room and Formally Cat was able to edge him at the wire by a neck. Green Sand was able to hold on for third.
The rest of the day's results:
Race 1 5 F N-6
Time: 1:02.4
1. Express To Cali, Kevin Krigger
2. True Confession, Junior Inirio
3. Creation Rebel, Angel Viera
Race 2 7 1/2 F Class I-5, Jockey
Time: 1:34.2
1. Mi Jesus, Elmo Barnes
2. El Rollo, Kevin Krigger
3. Russian Way, Alphonso Claudio
Race 3 7 1/2 F M&F, Jockey
Time: 1:33.3
1. She's Got the Helm, Elmo Barnes
2. Get Ready Now, Kevin Krigger
3. Look up Look up, Junior Inirio
Race 4 7 1/2 F Classes I-3 & I-4
Time: 1:32.3
1. Puerto Rican Emblem, Christian Soto
2. Halos Horn, Kevin Krigger
3. Guiltless, Elmo Barnes
Race 7 7 F M&F, Jockey
Time: 1:28
1. Beautiful Move, Steve Powell
2. Fantastic Four, Kevin Krigger
3. Bright Moonlight, Christian Soto
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