Parachute Coney pulled a stunning upset in Sunday’s Memorial Day one-mile feature at the Randall “Doc” James racetrack by beating heavily favored Slevin by three lengths in front of the small crowd. However, not all fans were stunned at the outcome as some could be overheard expressing their views on Slevin’s poor appearance during the post parade of this ninth race on the card.
But nothing should be taken away from Parachute Coney and jockey Winston Hurst who rode a brilliant race in piloting his horse to the upset victory.
At the break, speedsters Plotter and Congo raced to the early lead and got into a speed duel up front. As the field crossed the grand stand for the first time, those two ran as one with Slevin a length back in third, Parachute Coney in fourth and the overmatched Going Blue bringing up the rear. The Blue would never be a factor in the race.
Plotter and Congo took the field into the backstretch setting quick fractions of 22.1 for the quarter, 46 flat for the half and a mind boggling 58 for five furlongs. Needless to say no one expected these two to be around at the finish after such quick opening fractions.
As the field approached the far turn, Slevin and Parachute Coney made their moves. Slevin took over the lead at the top of the stretch but a buzz could be heard coming from the small crowd as Parachute Coney took dead aim on Slevin and was gaining fast on the former St. Croix champ.
It was obvious that it was only a matter of a few strides before he collared Slevin and drew away for what looked like a relatively easy victory at the wire. Parachute Coney negotiated the one mile distance in a time of 1:38.4.
Plotter finished in third, 10 lengths behind Slevin and a nose in front of Congo in fourth. Going Blue was another nine lengths behind of those two.
The rest of the day’s results:
Race1 6 F Classes N-4, Jockey
Time: 1:17.1
1. Mother Mel, A. Claudio
2. JPD YUNG, C. Soto
3. Mr. Fete, W. Hurst
Race2 7F Class I-5(M/F) & I-6, Jockey
Time: 1:31.4
1. Morning Sunday, J. Hernandez
2. Karma Cat, E. Barnes
3. Cash City, S. Ortiz
Race3 7 ½ F Class N-3, Jockey
Time: 1:37.2
1. Mama Linda, W. Gotay
2. Gold Demarshe, J. Santiago
3. Kings of Kings, S. Ortiz
Race4 1 M I-4, (C/G), Jockey
Time: 1:41.3
1. Blast of Macho, M. Sanchez
2. Bruno’s Burst, B. Gonzalez
3. Aerial Storm, J. Santiago
Race5 7 ½ I-3 & 4, (M/F), Jockey
Time: 1:35.1
1. Imperial Award, J. Hernandez
2. My Ocean Beauty, S. Ortiz
3. Whoshotthesheriff, E. Barnes
Race6 1 M Open VI Bred, Jockey
Time: 1:42.3
1. Fast Return, J. Hernandez
2. Creation Rebel, S. Ortiz
3. Cruzan Emerald, W. Hurst
Race7 7 ½ I-1 & 2, (M/F), Jockey
Time: 1:32
1. Turned to Gold, M. Sanchez
2. Holy Barbara, W. Hurst
3. Syrophoenician, A. Hernandez
Race8 1 M Class I-2&3, (C/G), Jockey
Time: 1:39.4
1. Simon Sez Run, J. Hernandez
2. Joyful Minister, W. Gotay
3. BlackJack Bob, B. Gonzalez
Race10 7 ½ F Class I-5, Jockey
Time: 1:35.2
1. Musicinthenight, W. Gotay
2. Burn the Harp, C. Soto
3. A Bit of Madness, B. Gonzalez
