 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|||||||||||
 |
SPIT CURL DIVA CRUISES TO BIG KEOKUK WIN DESPITE ROCKY START
Spit Curl Diva, under regular rider David Brown, picks up her fourth stakes win of 2010 on Saturday.
Jack Coady / Coady PhotogrpahyALTOONA, IA—AUGUST 14, 2010—After getting bumped at the start, the super consistent Spit Curl Diva took over in mid stretch then pulled away to a ¾ length win in the $40,000 Keokuk Stakes(G3) at Prairie Meadows Saturday night.
The 400 yard event for 3-year-olds & up, featuring a full field of 10 horses, proved to be easy pickings for the Spit Curl Jess filly who has won six of seven races this season. Racing for the Lepic-Morgan Partnership, Spit Curl Diva picked up $22,000 for the win and pushed her career earnings to more than $583,000.
Saddled by Jody Brown and ridden by David Brown the sorrel miss completed the 400 yards in :19.450 to earn a 105 speed index. The winner of 14 of 27 races picked up her fourth stakes victory of 2010.
Spit Curl Diva stared this racing season by winning the Decketta and Bob Moore Handicaps at Remington Park. She finished third by a neck in the Juno Request Stakes at the Oklahoma track before winning the Merial Arapahoe Park Distaff Stakes in her last start.
She is expected to compete in the $125,000 Merial Distaff Challenge Championship(G1) on November 19th at the Fair Grounds Race Course during Bank of America Challenge Championship Night in New Orleans.
Larry Abney and Chris Sheehy's Finche rallied late to finish second and earn $6,800. The 5-year-old is trained by Connie Barnes and ridden by Thomas Wellington.
Multiple stakes winner Gallant Ways was another ¾ back for third. The 5-year-old races for his breeder Clara Webb. Charley Hunt trained with Stormy Smith aboard. The gelding picked up $4,000 for the effort.
Completing the field were Struttin High, Mbn Finest Hour, Zip Zap Now, Skyline Lover, Amalaya, Okey Dokey Fonda and Dashing Big Bud.