Mt. Carson Cracks Mile Mark at Colonial

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(from Colonial Downs report)
David P. Reynolds' Mt. Carson set a track record at Colonial Downs with a stylish score in the $50,000 Da Hoss Stakes on Saturday. Mt. Carson's covered the mile in 1:35.07 to lower Assault John's 1997 clocking of 1:35.48.

Scheduled for the turf, the Da Hoss was moved to the main track after two days of heavy rains hit New Kent, VA. Mt. Carson was bet down to 3-5 in the reduced six-horse field.

Breaking from the rail, Mt. Carson and jockey Joe Rocco, Jr. were initially content to let second choice Thunder Bullet set the early pace. Mt. Carson was two lengths back after an opening quarter in :22.46. Mt. Carson took off after Thunder Bullet halfway down the backstretch and was only a head back after a sizzling half in :44.60. Those two continued to duel as they hit the turn, crossing the three-quarters mark in 1:09.31.

Mt. Carson put Thunder Bullet away midway through the turn and opened up a 3 1/2-length lead over a menacing Duvalier at the top of the stretch. The Lord Carson colt had every reason to fade after the strenuous early duel, but he proved much the best by drawing off to a seven-length victory over Duvalier. Access Approved finished third, more than 14 lengths behind Mt. Carson and a neck ahead of Thunder Bullet.

The Da Hoss win was Mt. Carson's first of the year. The 4-year-old has now won five races from 13 lifetime starts. Virginia native Rodney Jenkins trains Mt. Carson.

(Chart, Equibase)

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