Feelin Flush rebounded from last week’s disappointing seventh place finish to win the Mares Open on Saturday, September 20th at Alberta Downs. Leaving from post five Cullen settled his mare fifth off the gate. American Passion (Hudon) left hard and was up by four lengths at the quarter in 28.1. Following her was Blue Star Beauty (Gagne), Sing Like An Angel (Giesbrecht) and Skade (Clark). At the half Feelin Flush and Cullen started their journey first over while flushing out Skade and Blue Star Beauty. Feeling flush continued to follow in the flow until the stretch where she started her charge and hunted down her foes capturing the win by a nose in 1:54.1 and cruising her last quarter in 26.1. Blue Star Beauty raced super tough and held on for second over a hard closing Sing Like An Angel (also from the Cullen Stable).
This was Feelin Flush’s tenth Open Mares victory on the year and third win in her last four starts. The six-year-old daughter of As Promised now has 31 lifetime wins has bankrolled $224,124 in lifetime earnings. Cullen shares ownership with Ken Hanson of Strathclair, MB. The winner paid $4.50 $2.60 $2.90. The 5-1 Exactor paid $18.90, the 5-1-3 Tri paid $58.20 while the Superfecta 5-1-3-4 dished out $65.60.
On the day Cullen turned in a driving and training triple starting in the second race with Mach Away, Justapassin Fanci in the seventh and Feelin Flush in the ninth.
Brandon Campbell also had a good day at the office hitting a driving triple with Sacred Valley in the third, R Js Diamond in the fourth and Little Big Grin in the fifth. Both Tyler Redwood and Bill Tainsh Jr. picked up two driving wins each.
On a sad note, the day was also heartbreaking for the Cullen stable. Promising three-year-old Justapassin Fanci passed away after winning her race. On behalf of the entire Alberta racing community we offer condolences to all the connections of Justapassin Fanci.
Ratchford’s Pupils Primed & Ready
Trainer Joe Ratchford had a spectacular day at the office with a training triple on Sunday, September 21st starting with Dash Point Hanover (Cullen) in the fourth race winning by a convincing four lengths. This was the second lifetime win for the three-year-old gelded son of Somebeachsomewhere-Dashaway Hanover. Ownership papers belong to Lee Barton Enterprises of Edmonton. Ratchford’s second win came in the sixth race with Burstin Bubbles (Cullen) and then again in the final race of the day with Blazing By (Clark). Ratchford now has nineteen wins on the year and $104,559 in earnings. He is just shy of hitting $3 million in lifetime earnings.
Driver/trainer Gerry Hudon also enjoyed a spectacular day with a driving/training hat trick. Hudon kicked off the day with a win in the first with Hollywood Hotel. He then guided Mickey Comanche to victory in the seventh and right back in the eighth with Big Otts Party. Hudon’s stable has now made over $12 million in lifetime earnings.
The bettors enjoyed a nice pay-out in Sunday’s tenth race. We saw long shot Sunny Bee (Redwood) cross the wire in front and paid $56.30 to win, $22.80 to place and $11.10 to show. The $2 Exactor 8-5 paid $376.60 and the $2 Tri 8-5-3 paid $712.20.
We look forward to a Stakes filled weekend ahead at Alberta Downs. The ABSS Alberta Stardust for two-year-old fillies will be contested Saturday, September 27th, while the ABSS Alberta Shooting Star for the two-year-old colts/geldings will take place on Sunday, September 28th. This is the third and final leg for two-year-olds before the $75,000 Super Finals held on November 1st. Post time Saturday and Sunday 1:15PM.
Alberta Downs will be hosting an outside concert this Saturday night starting at 7:00pm. The concert is part of the Lacombe’s Culture and Harvest Festival. Artist Randi Bolton will be performing along with street performers that include magic and fire juggling. There will also be a fireworks display following the concert.