Richetta Falters in Maryland Filly Championship

(from Laurel report)
The $100,000 Maryland Juvenile Filly Championship Wednesday at Laurel Park figured to be a one horse affair, but when that one horse faltered, the door opened for Pour It On, who rallied along the rail to post a 36-1 upset score.

Richetta left the gate as the 2-5 favorite in the test for Maryland-bred 2-year-old fillies and was in the hunt early, but failed to fire approaching the top of the lane. Pour It On, under jockey Eric Rodriguez, raced far off the pace, then came motoring up the rail around the turn and reached the front in the shadow of the wire. Sea Of Promises, who had battled with the leaders every step of the way, finished a gallant second. Grant's Moon was third. Richetta finished next to last in the field of seven.

With Richetta off the board, the show payoffs were astounding. A total of $51,733 of the $55,593 show pool went down in flames on the favorite, including $25,000 from a bridge jumper in Chicago.

Pour It One paid $74.20, $25.20 and $99.20. Sea of Promises, the 4-1 second choice of the public, returned $6.80 and $30. The show on 9-1 Grant's Moon was $38. The winners' time was 1:53.17. The $2 exacta paid $581.60 and the 2-5-1 triple paid $3,406.60

Hamilton Smith, who has saddled the winner of this race for three of the last five years (Gin Talking in 1999 and True Sensation in 2001), trains Pour It On.

"I thought there were a couple in here that she couldn't beat, Smith said. "As it turned out they didn't run their race and our filly ran the way she should run."

Rodriguez, who recently left the apprentice ranks, said, "The trainer told me to stay behind the horses and wait and wait and wait and see what happens. I thought she could run and she did really well today."

Richetta, who was looking for her fourth added money victory of the 12-week fall meet, finished 7 ¾ lengths back.

"I really don't have any clue as to what happened out there, said her trainer, Robin Graham. "I looked her over after she pulled up and didn't see anything visible that went wrong. Rick (jockey Rick Wilson) said she didn't make any noise to indicate a breathing situation so at this point I really have no idea. We'll get back to the barn and see how she cools out and go over her really well."

(Chart, Equibase)