FAVORITE CONNIE K PREVAILS IN THE DOWNTHEDUSTYROAD
Connie K holds off Unbridled Twister in the Downthedustyroad Breeders' Stakes.
Photo credit: Coady Photography
FAVORITE CONNIE K PREVAILS IN DOWNTHEDUSTYROAD
HOT SPRINGS, AR (Saturday, March 5, 2022) – Randy Patterson and Randy Morse’s even-money favorite Connie K did not disappoint the betting public with her front-running victory in Saturday’s $150,000 Downthedustyroad Breeders’ Stakes for Arkansas-bred fillies and mares.
Ridden by jockey Jon Court, Connie K broke sharply and quickly went to the front, leading the field through early fractions of :22 1/5 and :45 4/5 for the first half mile. The winner began to distance herself from the rest of the field at the top of the stretch, but was all out late to hold off the fast closing Unbridled Twister, prevailing by a slim neck in 1:10 4/5 for six furlongs over a fast track. Two Pretty, who had raced in third throughout, held that position at the wire.
“She had a good trip from the get go,” Court said. “She just settled on the front end and the race was going fast. There was no exception to the speed duel today, but she was able to save just enough to hang on and finish in front. I’m really happy for all the connections.”
Connie K, who was winning her third straight race, improved her career record to four wins from eight starts and has now earned $255,193. The homebred daughter of Oaklawn stakes winners Street Strategy returned $4.20, $3.60 and $3.
Live racing resumes Sunday at Oaklawn with a 1 p.m. first post.
Stakes Quotes:
Winning jockey Jon Court, Connie K: “She has more than tactical speed, she was the speed of the race. At the same time, I didn’t want her to get out there and hook up with those other horses, but I had to go with it. We were pretty much eyeballing each other and somewhat kept ourselves separated, widthwise, and then turning for home it was just a matter of who had enough to stay in front.”
Winning trainer Randy Morse, Connie K: “I had her in three weeks ago (Feb. 12), the race Kaboom Baby ran in (and scratched). Believe me, I’m glad she won, but she probably got a little tired today. I haven’t done a lot with her. She’s nice. We own the mare. Now, she’s a stakes winner. That’s huge.”
Trainer Al Cates, second with Unbridled Twister: “Man, we’ve been trying to go long all year. We just can’t get a long race. This horse has been dying to go long. Maybe one will pop up now. We’re going to look at the big one (Arkansas Breeders’ Championship) at the end of the meet, going long, if she comes out of this good and everything. But, she’s got a little talent.”
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