The Green Felt Turns to Gold

By ITCH

Would there were three words we could add to our preview of THE GREEN FELT’S chances in the Your Pigeon Handicap this weekend in West Virginia.

“The Now Horse.”

Way back in week 2657, HALF A WORLD AWAY was busy stamping himself a Sim Superstar, winning the Breeders Bowl Juvenile with a sparkling speed fig of 99. Meanwhile, The Green Felt was recuperating from a defeat on the grass in maiden special weight company.

On Saturday in West Virginia, The Green Felt was going away from Half a World Away at the wire. With a victory by two lengths in the Your Pigeon Handicap, The Green Felt captured his first-ever stake victory, and now appears he may have a brighter future than Nextbonus’ great horse, classy though he may be.

In the early stages of Saturday’s race, it appeared that HAWA was well on his way to an expected tour-de-force on the dropdown upon which so many expectant West Virginia railbirds had wagered heavily at the phat price of 7-1. Pressed early by the classless SOLAR WAD, Half a World Away put that one away easily, and appeared surely poised to put himself back on the trail of stakes glory. Truth be told, he well may be, because HAWA posted a fast speed figure of 108 in running second, but just could not hold off the powerful late charge of talented’s blossoming The Green Felt. HAWA did beat the classy SAGATECTOR, who ran third.