Dugout Displays New Style in Steel Valley Sprint Win

In his four previous wins, Dugout had been on the lead or battling for the lead early, but Nov. 25 the 3-year-old Adios Charlie  gelding successfully displayed a new style.

Breaking from post 11 in the $250,000 Steel Valley Sprint Stakes at Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course, Dugout rated in third into the turn, seized the lead in mid-stretch, and had just enough to hold off a late run from Manny Wah to prevail by a neck.

Campaigned by Patricia's Hope and breeders Richard Ravin and Larry Rivelli—who also trains—Dugout secured his first open stakes win Monday. He had earned a pair of wins over other New York-breds in last year's Funny Cide Stakes at Saratoga Race Course and New York Breeders' Futurity at Finger Lakes.

"He's a real nice horse and we always thought he was this kind," Rivelli said. "He can run on the lead, he can come from off the pace, and is just a real nice horse. One more jump and we might have gotten beat, but the rider rode him good and we got lucky."

Dare Day, a speedy Ohio-bred for Ron Paolucci Racing, broke well and enjoyed a clear lead over 4-5 favorite Call Paul through a quarter-mile in :21.53. Dare Day raced off the rail under Luis Rivera and maintained his clear advantage through a half-mile in :44.56 and into the stretch while Dugout and Jareth Loveberry tracked outside and Call Paul inside.

At the sixteenth pole, Dugout took command and he just lasted under a hand ride as a strong late rally by Susan Moulton's Manny Wah and Channing Hill came up just short. Dugout completed the six-furlong test in 1:11.19. Longshot Olympic Village, owned by Paolucci Racing and Jeffrey Lambert, rallied for third with Dare Day holding fourth.

Dugout returned $21.80, $10.40, and $5.60 across the board, while Manny Wah paid $8 and $6.20. Olympic Village paid $11 to show.

Dugout is one of six winners from as many starters out of Rooney Doodle, by champion sprinter Lit de Justice.