La Gran Verduga Holds On For Win

The fifteenth race on the card here in Ohio for this Saturday’s race day was the Buckeye Debutante over six furlongs on the dirt. The race, open to two year old fillies drew a short field of eight. The eight fillies made their way to the gate during the post parade, all horses appearing calm and collected during the post parade. When the field reached the gates Hot Sand who would be loading into the number five post, balked going in and required some coaxing from the gate attendants to pursue her to enter. Once the field was loaded the waiting began.

Out with a clean break early on was Gulch Quay Ets, owned by simcup07, who was leading by one-fourth of a length over Hot Sand, trained by bryanj79. Running three-fourth lengths back in third was verdugos owned and trained La Gran Verduga. In fourth and fifth was post-time favorite Ballad and Succubus Club, owned and trained by super29 and waremblem2 respectively. In sixth was Hennylands, trained by kinghorse followed by longshot cylla owned Sadler’s Creek (JPN). Trailing the field early on by four lengths was Wiki Waki Woo, owned by zooomr3.

Gulch Quay Ets lengthened her lead over Hot Sand to half a length. Still running a half length behind back in third was La Gran Verduga, trailing the two speed horses. Trailing the field by six lengths now was Wiki Waki Woo.

Coming towards the stretch La Gran Verduga took command of the race and was leading by a narrow one-fourth of a length with Gulch Quay Ets to her outside and Ballad moving up into third. Hot Sand was dropping quickly now and was currently back in fourth. Longshot Sadler’s Creek (JPN) was making an early move and was now in fifth with Hennylands dropping into sixth along with Succubus Club in seventh. Still trailing the field but beginning to make her move now was Wiki Waki Woo.

The field came for home and it was the pace-stalking La Gran Verdduga to take the win by one and one-fourth lengths for trainer verdugos while setting a speed figure of eighty-one. Settling for second was Ballad with Wiki Waki Woo charging in for a third place finish.

Also rans include: Gulch Quay Ets, Sadler’s Creek (JPN), Hot Sand, Hennylands, and Succubus Club.