Torres and Black tie at GP Downs
GRANTS PASS — As the season drew to a close on Sunday in the last day at the Grants Pass Downs, one more record was broken while jockeys Luis Torres and Nikeela Black battled back and fourth for the wins title.
Eyez On Brimmer set a record for 400 yards in the Grants Pass Derby, and Torres and Black wound up tying with 16 wins on the season.
Eyez On Brimmer, who won its first race June 13, lowered the mark to 19.54 seconds from Classic Guitar's 2001 record of 19.57.
Black began the day with a one-victory lead over Torres, but it slipped away after Torres claimed the third and fourth races.
Black got one back with a win atop Consider Smiling in the sixth race, then Torres won the next two.
Black answered by winning the final two races to tie Torres.
Trainer Bob Beckner gained two more victories and ended up with 13, the most of any trainer. John Martin finished with seven and Scott Raley tied James Haverty with six victories.
Sunday's Results
FIRST RACE
QH Alw, 350 yd. 1, Pdiddydash (R. Camacho), 4.60, 2.10, 2.10; 2, Vanetta Doll (L. Torres), 2.20, 2.10; 3, Check This Noble (T. Alberto), 2.10. Q — 3-5 $3.40. TRI — 5-3-2 $21.80. Time — 17.84.
SECOND RACE
QH Alw, 350 yd. 1, Prospecttors Way (T. Alberto), 24.80, 5.40, 2.40; 2, Cops Most Wanted (L. Torres), 3.00, 2.20; 3, Prince Natova (D. Braden), 2.20. Q — 3-5 $11.60. TRI — 6-3-4 $127.80. Time — 17.4.
THIRD RACE
TB Clm, 5 F. 1, Smitten's Kitten (L. Torres), 3.80, 2.40, 2.40; 2, Imsomethingspecial (A. Dale), 5.00, 2.80; 3, Da Wild Thing (B. Endres), 3.40. Q — 1-3 $3.80. TRI — 1-3-6 $103.80. DD — 5-1 $114.00. Time — :59.6.
FOURTH RACE
TB Alw, 5 1/2 F. 1, Blue Slew Stakes (L. Torres), 13.40, 5.80, 3.00; 2, Do No Evil (N. Black), 4.80, 3.20; 3, Skimming Song (R. Camacho), 3.00. Q — 3-6 $27.20. TRI — 3.6-1 $139.80. Time — 1:06.2.
FIFTH RACE
QH Derby, 400 yd. 1, Eyez On Brimmer (T. Alberto), 8.80, 4.40, 2.80; 2, Ricky Bobby (L. Torres), 2.80, 2.10; 3, Ex Quizit Design (D. Braden), 3.00. Q — 1-4 $14.40. TRI — 6-1-4 $186.40. Time — 19.54.
SIXTH RACE
TB Clm, 6 1/2 F. 1, Consider Smiling (N. Black), 3.60, 2.20, 2.10; 2, Kiss The Cop (L. Torres), 2.80, 2.10; 3, Witchonachopper (R. Camacho), 2.10. Q — 1-6 $11.60. TRI — 6-1-4 $19.40. Time — 1:21.20.
SEVENTH RACE
TB Clm, 6 1/2 F. 1, Galpin Aly (L. Torres), 14.00, 7.00, 3.00; 2, Whatsamillion (D. Braden), 3.60, 2.40; 3, Tis Our Sugar (R. Camacho), 2.20. Q — 1-3 $16.60. TRI — 1-3-4 $186.40. Time — 1:20.6.
EIGHTH RACE
TB Hcp, 1 1/16 M. 1, Direct Connect (L. Torres), 4.00, 2.40, 2.40; 2, Power Star (J. Martinez), 3.00, 2.80; 3, Whenthewindblows (N. Black), 3.00. Q — 4-6 $7.80. TRI — 6-4-7 $21.20. Time — 1:48.0.
NINTH RACE
TB Clm, 6 1/2. 1, Lucky Thirteen (N. Black), 3.60, 3.00, 2.20; 2, Zig Town (A. Dole), 4.20, 2.50; 3, Cool Red (R. Camacho), 2.40. Q — 1-7 $12.60. TRI — 7-1-6 $17.00. Time — 1:19.80.
TENTH RACE
TB Clm, 5 F. 1, Flexible Loyalties (N. Black), 4.40, 2.10, 2.20; 2, Chocolate Starr (L. Torres), 2.20, 2.10. 3, Regal Sis (R. Camacho), 2.20. Q — 1-2 $14.40. TRI — 2-1-5 $39.60. DD1 — 7-2 $9.40. DD2 — $3.20. DD3 — 7-5 $3.20. Time — :59.6.
Attendance — 2,375. Handle — $52,297.