Grindstone Offspring Shine on Oregon-Bred Day
Description:
Offspring of 1996 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner Grindstone took three stakes, including the co-featured events for 2-year-olds, on Oregon Championship Day for state-breds Dec. 14 at Portland Meadows.
Kozzy’s Kitkat rallied from off the pace to win the $13,000 Janet Wineberg Stakes for fillies, and Hornfel captured the $13,000 Bill Wineberg Stakes one race later. Three-year-old son Stoney River closed out the day’s stakes action for his sire winning the $11,000 Oregon His Stakes.
Sent off as the even money favorite, Kozzy’s Kitkat started a big rally on the turn and blew past the early leaders Steamnstone and Mydaddysacowboy at the quarter pole.
Steamnstone dug in but Kozzy’s Kitkat had plenty left and drew off to win by 4 1/2 lengths while covering six furlongs in 1:12.40 on a fast track. Steamnstone was second, with Latta Stone rallying up to get third. Kozzy’s Kitkat was trained by Jonathan Nance for owner Mike Cosgrove.
In the Bill Wineberg Stakes at the same distance, Larry Welliver’s Hornfel romped to a 5 1/2-length tally after battling early with Gilly Gone. Sent off at 3-1, Hornfel put that rival away after a half mile for trainer Debbie Van Horne. Gilly Gone finished second and Badrock Canyon closed up to get third. The time was 1:11.13.
In the $11,000 Oregon Hers Stakes for 3-year-old fillies it was Suddenly Adele who dominated, going wire to wire to win by 11 1/2 lengths.
Suddenly Adele went right to the front and started to open up on the far turn. Suddenly Adele kept extending her lead down the lane to win with ease. Aphiemi got up for second with Dreamstone Cowgirl running third. Suddenly Adele, a daughter of leading Oregon sire Harbor the Gold, is conditioned by Portland Meadows’ leading trainer Rigoberto Velasquez. She was timed in 1:42.21 for one mile.
Velasquez also sent out Carl Command who went wire to wire in the $11,000 Lethal Grande Sprint Championship at six furlongs. Carl Command was the 1-5 favorite and was chased around the oval by Captain Gavel, who was second at all points in the race, finishing 1 1/4 lengths behind the winner. Carl Command is owned by Rancho Viejo and Lisa Baze. The son of Rogue S. was timed in 1:10.24.
Stoney River landed the one-mile Oregon His Stakes, rallying from just off the pace to pass early pacesetter and 3-5 favorite Maddie's Gold. Stoney River was fourth early on and launched a big rally as they ran on the far turn. He put a nose in front turning for home and slowly edged away to win by three lengths in 1:38.65.
Velasquez trains the gelding for Rancho Viejo and Herman Torres.