Groomsman crushed Prototype in Sunday’s $10,000 winner-take-all five-furlong match race, and Cherokee Law laid down the law in wiring the field in the co-featured seven-furlong eighth race at Randall “Doc” James Racetrack.
The anticipated excitement of the matched race never really materialized as it was obvious that Prototype was outclassed and overmatched from early in the race. He was able to stay briefly with Groomsman out of the gate, but when jockey Junior Inirio asked Groomsman for more around the far turn it was all but over.
By the time they straightened for home at the top of the stretch, Groomsman had a sizable lead that was growing with every stride. Jockey Angel Viera tried frantically to get more out of Prototype, but to no avail.
At mid-stretch, Inirio took a look back to see how large his lead was. Seeing his adversary well back of his horse, he took his foot off the gas, stood in his saddle and salute the crowd as he cruised past the finish line in an unhurried time of 59 seconds flat.
In the co-feature, Cherokee Law looked impressive as he beat his stable mate, Temo’s Dream, by two lengths in a time of 1:25.
Making his third start after an injury layoff, Cherokee Law, with Juan Santiago in the irons, rushed to the front at the break and did not look back.
Meanwhile Temo’s missed the break badly, spotting the field some 10 lengths as it appeared that jockey Junior Inirio’s foot was out of the stirrups coming out of the gate. When Inirio regained his footings, Temo’s Dream really took off.
He quickly blew by Limey, Blackjack Bob and Heats on Fire, who were all running tightly bunched, and set his sights on the streaking Cherokee Law some five lengths out front.
As they turned for home, Temo’s was gaining but not nearly fast enough, as Santiago had Cherokee Law in top gear and not slowing down.
He crossed the finish line, full of run to the delight of an appreciating, loudly cheering crowd. Temo’s was two lengths back in second, and Heats on Fire was a distant third.
The rest of the day’s result:
Race1 4 F Class N-6, Jockey
Time: :48
1. Kings of Kings, Elmo Barnes
2. Midnight Indictment, Alphonso Claudio
3. Midnight Jury Trial, Jesus Guadelupe
Race2 6 F I-4 & I-5 Jockey
Time: 1:13.1
1. Apron’s dance, Junior Inirio
2. African Talker, Miguel Sanchez
3. Devil’s Revenge, Steven Powell
Race3 6 F Class I-5, Jockey
Time: 1:12.3
1. Ala Cat, Jesus Guadelupe
2. Gracias Mike, Elmo Barnes
3. Lobito, Miguel Sanchez
Race4 7 F Class N-4 -N5 & I6, Jockey
Time: 1:29
1. Dinero, Angel Viera
2. Creation Rebel, Miguel Sanchez
3. War, Alphonso Claudio
Race5 7F I-1 to I-3 M/F, Jockey
Time: 1:25.4
2. Cinque Terre, Junior Inirio
3. Destiny Arrival, Angel Viera
3. Big Kate, Daniel Bernardini
Race6 7 F I-4 & I-5 Jockey
Time: 1:26
1. Expect Smoke, Christian Soto, Jr.
2. Mi Jesus, Angel Viera
3. Dixie Find, Miguel Sanchez
Race9 7F Class I5(M/F) & I6 (C/G), Jockey
Time: 1:28.1
1. Ed’s Value, Junior Inirio
2. Caribbean Slew, J. Santiago
3. Gray Forbes, Jesus Guadelupe
