Bannaby Wins Laffit Handicap

The fifteenth race on the card for this Saturday in Washington was the Laffit Handicap, a mile long race over the turf. Eleven horses drew into this years race in the first week of the new year. The day was cool, yet sunny as expected with no rain to mar the turf track. The horses made their way down to the starting gate with the pre-race favorite Awesome Song, owned by goldcity seeming to be a little nervous as the field made their way down to the gate. All horses loaded easily into their posts however.

When the gates flew open it was Camp’s Bro (IRE), owned by hoshaba, was out to an early one length lead over upperhand2 trained Biter. Running alongside with Biter was pm trained Flushing Waters (IRE). Two lengths back in fourth was Doodlebug, owned by ajm. Running along in fifth and sixth was favorite Awesome Song and Bannaby, who is owned by zalduendo. Victory Buda, trained and owned by lacostra was running in seventh. Trailing the field early on by six and one fourth length was crazykid owned Cozy King.

Champ’s Bro (IRE) increased his lead to one and one-fourth lengths over Flushing Waters (IRE) who was now running in second. Biter had been pushed back into third with Doodlebug still in fourth. Bannaby had moved up into fifth now, passing by favorite Awesome Song. Victory Buda was still running four lengths behind in seventh with shazfly trained Elufly’s Goldie running in eighth. Trailing the field by ten now was Cozy King.

Coming into the final turn before the stretch Champ’s Bro (IRE) still maintained his lead, but now by a narrow nose over Flushing Waters (IRE), the two horses going head to head. Just three-fourths of a length back in third and on the inside looking for an opening was Bannaby. Doodlebug maintained fourth with Biter dropping back into fifth now and fading. Victory Buda was moving up slightly with Elufly’s Goldie. Awesome Song was fading back and was now running in eighth with Gomagoi. owned by joe999, running just behind. Waremblem1 trained Wars Of Empire wasn’t making any progress in tenth. Cozy King continued to trail the field, now back by twelve.

Coming into the stretch and down to the wire, Bannaby found the hole on the rail he was looking for. With urging from jockey X. Mlot the horse shot through the hole and left the battling Flushing Waters (IRE) and Champ’s Bro (IRE) in his dust winning the race going away by two and one-fourth lengths with a speed figure of one hundred fourteen. Flushing Waters (IRE) won the duel for second with pacesetter Champ’s Bro (IRE) settling for third.

Also rans include: Elufly’s Goldie, Doodlebug, Gomagoi, Victory Buda, Awesome Song, Biter, Wars Of Empire, and Cozy King.