Speed Whiz won the $500,000 West Virginia Breeders Classic for the second year in a row on Saturday night at Charles Town Races & Slots.
The 5-year-old gelding cut inside at the top of the lane and pulled away from Shenandoah Harley to win by two lengths in the featured race on the card restricted to products of the West Virginia breeding industry. This year marked the 20th running of the event, the brainchild of retired New York Giants football great Sam Huff, a Thoroughbred owner and West Virginia native and resident.William A. Campbell, Speed Whiz's owner and trainer, is pointing the son of Weshaam–Whiz Quiz by Slady Castle toward a record third victory in next year's 1 1/8-mile dirt event.
"There are some younger horses coming on," Campbell said. "But as long as he's healthy, we'll probably try again."
Speed Whiz, bred by James W. Casey, paid $5 after going off as the 3-2 betting favorite. Anthony Mawing rode him.
Julie B. rallied to overtake Carnival Chrome to win the $350,000 Jefferson Security Bank "Cavada" West Virginia Breeders Classic, a 7-furlong test for fillies and mares. Julie B. paid $4 as the favorite. Owner R.C. Funkhouser's O'Sullivan Farms LLC bred her.
Trainer George G. Yetsook said his 3-year-old daughter of Eastover Court–Ashby Inn by Feel the Power is poised to compete against open company outside West Virginia. Larry C. Reynolds rode Julie B. to victory.
"We're thinking that she can win a graded stakes away from here," Yestook said. "When she passes horses her ears prick up. She's loving life right now."
Other winners on the eight-race card were:-- Not for Sam ($8.60) won the $100,000 Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Dash for Cash Breeders Classic at 4 1/2 furlongs with J.D. Acosta up. Not for Sam is an 8-year-old gelded son of Not for Love–Acquaint by Full Pocket. Not for Sam is owned by K.S. Patterson's Diamond Oak Stable and was bred by Ralph S. Thomas. Not for Sam is trained by Amy Albright.-- Eagle Speed ($11) won the $100,000 West Virginia Vincent Moscarelli Memorial Breeders Classic at 6 1/2 furlongs with Kendrick Carmouche up. Eagle Speed is a 2-year-old gelded son of Coastal Storm–Britt's Quest by Opening Verse. S.D. Engle Sr.'s Willowdale Farms Ltd. is the owner/breeder of Eagle Speed. Clovis Crane trains eagle Speed.-- Sue's Sweet Girl ($4.40) won the $100,000 Triple Crown Nutrition Breeders Classic at 4 1/2 furlongs with Travis L. Dunkelberger up. Sue's Sweet Girl is a 2-year-old daughter of Meadow Monster–Climb Any Mountain by In Case. She was bred by Dr. Ronald Harris Parker and is owned by Susan Alter. Richard S. Nieminski trains Sue's Sweet Girl.-- Confucius Say won the $100,000 West Virginia "Onion Juice" Breeders Classic at 7 furlongs with Larry C. Reynolds up. Confucius Say has the same connections as Julie B.-- Rhythmic Moves ($10) won the $100,000 West Virginia Lottery Breeders Classic at 7 furlongs with Travis Dunkelberger up. Rhythmic Moves is a 3-year-old gelded son of Luftikus–Hot Rhythm by Explosive Red. His owner/breeder is James W. Casey's Taylor Mountain Farm LLC. Casey is also the trainer of Rhythmic Moves. -- Malibu Sue ($9.20) won the $100,000 West Virginia Division of Tourism Breeders Classic at 7 furlongs with Matt McGowan up. Malibu Sue is a 3-year-old daughter of Malibu Moon –Sue Chen by Lord Parham. She was bred by Ralph S. Thomas and is owned by Wade S. Sanderson. Edwin L. Tobin is the trainer of Malibu Sue.
(Chart, Equibase)
