I watched a magnificent race yesterday at Beulah Park.
As I mentioned on a previous post, I am a huge fan of Beulah Park and greatly enjoy watching their races. Part of the reason that I like the track so much is that they run numerous low-level claiming races which often attract very old geldings.
The particular race that I am about to discuss was not won by a gelding, and therefore the winner cannot become a member of our Veterans of the Turf Club. But I feel I simply must mention his performance here anyway, for he is indeed one of racing’s veteran racehorses.
In the sixth race yesterday, Gold Sneaker won the $2,500 claiming race by 5 ¼ lengths.
He is eleven years old.
I find this simply min- boggling. Gold Sneaker has gone to the post an incredible 118 times, winning 25 of them. He has finished second 12 times and third 11 times. He has earned $124,425. He has raced every year since 2002. Not counting his five starts from this year, he has averaged 12.55 starts per season. He made his first start before Funny Cide did. He broke his maiden before Barbaro and Bernardini were born!
His effort yesterday was hugely impressive. He broke quickly and was sent straight to the lead. He dueled with another horse through fractions of :24.09 and :47.36. It would have been perfectly understandable if he had given way after setting such a quick pace.
However, he did not give way. Instead, he opened up a tremendous lead, passing the quarter pole seven lengths in front of the remainder of the field.
It would have been perfectly understandable if he had given way at this point. He had run three-quarters of a mile in 1:12.91, and it was obvious that he could not hold on to such a lead. Some closer would rally from far off the pace to win the race as Gold Sneaker tired to finish off the board.
But amazingly enough, he did not give way at all. He stayed on all the way to the finish, hitting the wire 5 ¼ lengths in front. Now, how many eleven-year-olds do you know who can turn in such a remarkable performance?
Almost more remarkable than the fact that Gold Sneaker can win at eleven-years-old is the fact that he is not a gelding. Perhaps someday, when he is retired, he will become a stallion somewhere. But the way he’s running, that may not be for a few years yet!
-Keelerman
P.S. You can watch a replay of the race here:
Upon reaching the home page, click on the “Live Racing” link on the far left. The click on the “Race Replays” link. This will take you to a calendar, upon which you will click the date of March 5th. A list of that day’s races will pop up, and you will select the sixth race. Enjoy the replay!
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