"I was supposed to fly back (to New Jersey) today," Coa said. "He (Kaplan) just picked me up at the airport. He called me when I was checking in and I said, 'I have nothing to do anywhere there. I can stay one more day.' So I came to ride this horse." (Chart, Equibase)
Castlebrook set a track record at Calder Race Course on Saturday, running 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.55 on a fast track in the $50,000 Noble Royalty Handicap for fillies and mares. Ridden by Eibar Coa, the 4-year-old Florida-bred daughter of Montbrook broke the mark of 1:43 1/5 set by King Rex in 1996."She did it easily today -- she really was the best horse," said Coa. "She did everything right and I was full of confidence. I knew I was on the best horse in the race and she just helped me out." Castlebrook edged Coolbythepool by three-quarters of a length, and paid $4.20, $2.60, and $2.10. Coolbythepool returned $2.80 and $2.10, and Diana My Love paid $2.10 to show. Castlebrook, owned by Ione and H.J. Elkins, has won four stakes races in her last five starts and has nine career victories in 20 races with earnings of $264,425. She is trained by William A. Kaplan."We weren't going to run if the race had gone on turf. This is the third time she won a stakes that was scheduled for turf but run on the main track," Kaplan said. "She's won six stakes now. The logical next spot for her would be the Shocker T. (Oct. 13, Festival of the Sun), but we'll probably nominate her for the Spinster (at Keeneland) and see what we might have to run against. I might be taking Mr. Livingston up there for the Shadwell Mile the same day." Coa picked up the mount on Castlebrook as scheduled rider Rosemary Homeister Jr. remains in New Jersey, unable to acquire a flight to South Florida following Tuesday's events.Coa was scheduled to fly to New Jersey today.