WEST VIRGINIA BREEDERS' CLASSIC | PURSE: $500,000 | 3-YEAR-OLDS & UP | STATE BRED | 1-1/8 MILES
Mark Russell's popular 8-year-old gelding Russell Road, who hadn't won since May, turned the tables on heavy favorite Lucy's Bob Boy to win the West Virginia Breeders' Classic Oct. 18 for the third time in his career. It was his 28th career win.
The $500,000 Classic, the richest state-bred race in the United States, was the centerpiece of a nine-race stakes program for West Virginia-breds at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races. The program, created by National Football League Hall of Famer and Thoroughbred owner Sam Huff, was inaugurated in 1987.
Russell Road, trained by James W. Casey and ridden by Jose Montano, had the outside post in a 10-horse field in the 1-1/8-mile race around three turns, while Lucy's Bob Boy, winner of his last three starts and a previous winner of the West Virginia Breeders' Classic, broke from post 8 under Arnaldo Bocachica.
The Classic turned into a two-horse race. Lucy's Bob Boy headed into the first turn with the lead, with Russell Road just to his outside; the leader never got a breather, which ended up making the difference in deep stretch.
Lucy's Bob Boy set a good pace of :24.03 seconds for the opening quarter- mile, :47.99 seconds for the half-mile, 1:12.76 for six furlongs, and 1:38.71 for one mile. The Flatter gelding appeared to rebuff Russell Road on the final turn and opened up a clear advantage, but Russell Road cut into the margin and surged late to win by a head in 1:53.85.
"I'm more tired than he is," Russell said jokingly as he waited for Russell Road to return to the winner's circle.
Russell Road paid $11.40, $3.20, and $2.20 across the board, while Lucy's Bob Boy returned $2.20 and $2.20. Fred High, who won the Classic last year, rallied for third and was worth $3.40 to show. The $2 exacta paid $30 and the $2 trifecta $114.40.
Russell Road, by Wheaton out of the Verification mare Roberta Gump, has won 23 of 40 starts at Charles Town and has earned $1,928,234. He was bred by Robert Lloyd.
Russell earlier said he believed Lucy's Bob Boy would be too tough to beat given his recent form. The favorite certainly ran his race, but just couldn't hold on.
"I'm speechless," Russell said. "This guy is just so special to me. He has been an inspiration for all of us at the barn because he lays it down all the time. It was an uphill climb against Lucy's Bob Boy but if you put Russell Road up there early he gives you all he has."
"He has a big heart," said Montano, who has ridden Russell Road five times this year. "I definitely wanted to put pressure on Lucy's Bob Boy. The horse felt strong and comfortable."
Russell said he will talk to Casey, who has had health issues and wasn't on hand for the Classic, to decide the next course of action for Russell Road, who will be 9 next year.
"He could race again this year, but maybe will call this a year," Russell said. "It's a pretty good note to stop on if we so choose. Hopefully he'll come back next year if he's willing to compete at this level."