Yesterday and today: June 16 racing highlights
Cuppa Mocha Mojo. Photo by Coady Photography.
From Staff Reports
YESTERDAY’S NEWS: CUPPA MOCHA MOJO STORMS TO VICTORY
She hadn’t run since West Virginia Breeders Classics night, October 10, 2015.
But it seems safe to say that Cuppa Mocha Mojo hasn’t lost a step.
The five-year-old Mikimoto’s Mojo mare, making her first start of 2016, romped to a nearly-six length victory last night in an allowance contest at Charles Town to run her record to seven wins from nine starts, with career earnings of over $176,000.
With Jose Montano up, Cuppa Mocha Mojo stalked the early pace of longshot Mary Boppins through a quarter-mile in 23.91 seconds, took over nearing the five-sixteenths, and drew away under what the chart called a “moderate hand ride,” stopping the timer in 1:20.05 for 6 1/2 furlongs. Montano and Cuppa Mocha Mojo are a perfect seven-for-seven together.
Cuppa Mocha Mojo, trained by David Walters for Terri Catlett, was bred in West Virginia by her owner. She won last year’s Cavada on Breeders Classics night.
[su_divider top=”no” style=”double” size=”9″]BY THE NUMBERS
- HANDLE:
- Charles Town: $803,242
- Delaware Park: $1,858,141
- Penn National: $656,132
- CLAIMS:
- Charles Town: 0
- Delaware Park: 2
- Penn National: 7
- MULTIPLE WINNERS
- Jockeys Antonio Lopez, Arnaldo Bocahica, Jose Montano, and Gerald Almodovar won two races each at Charles Town.
- Jockey Trevor McCarthy won two races at Delaware Park.
- Jockey Edwin Gonzalez won two races at Penn National.
- Trainer James Casey won two races at Charles Town.
- Trainers Wayne Potts and Kathleen O’Connell won two races each at Penn National.
LOOK AHEAD: TODAY’S RACING
- Tracks in action today: Pimlico, Delaware, Penn National, and Charles Town.
- It’s a truism that good horses can come from anywhere, and so, in Pimlico’s fifth race, a maiden special weight grass sprint, we have: favored Reggae Song (5-2), a $100,000 daughter of Speightstown who finished second twice against similar rivals at Gulfstream Park; second choice Tizasong (3-1), a $440,000 Tiznow filly most recently third against similar at Old Hilltop; and third favorite Bailey’s Island (5-1). The Lilith Boucher trainee is a Pennsylvania-bred daughter of Medallist, who stands for $2,000; Bailey’s Island was second against lesser company in her lone turf try.
- Greg Sacco trainee Secretive (3-1) is the lukewarm chalk in Penn National’s fifth, a $30,400 allowance-optional claimer going a mile on the main track. The Indian Charlie gelding won his only prior Penn National try but has two middling efforts in the interim. Top rivals here include A.P. Cino (7-2), a six-time winner over the strip, and Barlovento Tiger (4-1), winner of two straight.
- Owner-trainer-breeder John McKee sends out favored True Lime (2-1) in a $24,000, West Virginia-bred allowance contest that’s race seven at Charles Town. But it won’t be easy; the Limehouse gelding has lost four straight and is just one-for-five at the distance. Rivals to watch include Nathan the Great (3-1), second twice against similar but away since last November; and Fit but Fat (7-2), who won at first asking before running fourth against similar last out.
