The complexion of the Coin Collector, a $75,000, 4 ½-furlong contest for state-bred three-year-olds, changed at the start. That’s when the filly Great Spirit, off as the 5-2 second choice, bumped twice with Little Roo Roo and stumbled. While the interaction seemingly had little effect on Little Roo Roo, it took Great Spirit out of her game, leaving the normally speedy filly in sixth and well off the pace – a place she did not like.

It also allowed Honeyquist, the 4-5 post time favorite, to establish a solo lead, tearing through the opening quarter mile in 21.82 seconds over the sloppy, sealed track. With Arnaldo Bocachica up, he was a length clear at that point.

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But Little Roo Roo and jockey Marshall Mendez were revving up their run, tipping outside of the tiring Colt Rock on the turn to take aim at the leader. Little Roo Roo drew even inside the furlong pole, raced greenly while trying to lug in, and when finally straightened away, inched clear to win by 1 ½ lengths over the favorite in 51.50 seconds.

Honeyquist held second, two lengths in advance of show horse Juba’s Notion. Little Roo Roo returned backers $12.40 to win; the exacta, with the favorite underneath, returned $14.70 on a one-dollar wager. Great Spirit was never involved and finished a well-beaten fifth.

Little Roo was bred in West Virginia by Sherwood Bryant. He now has four wins from seven lifetime outings and earnings of $108,773. The win was the second in stakes company for Jones, the trainer, and third from the rider, Marshall Mendez.