Charles Town Racing & Slots â Red Legend Stakes
by Patricia Woo | Jun 21 2010
On Saturday, June 19, seven 3-year-old horses took to the track at Charles Town Races & Slots in Charles Town, W. Va., for the
$400,000 Red Legend Stakes. Comedero, Mylilsecret and Backtalk were among the sprinters vying for top prize.
Unbeaten in five consecutive races, 3-year-old Comedero was seeking yet another title in the Red Legend Stakes. Trained by Michael Stidham, this gelded son of Posse was sent off as the race favorite. And he did not disappoint, breaking well under now regular rider Robby Albarado and going straight to the lead; he was never truly challenged and drew away impressively for the 2 ¼ length victory.
Inexperienced and lightly raced Mylilsecret, coming off a claiming race victory at
Delaware Park on May 25, had Oliver Castillo in the irons for their eventful trip. He showed impressive maturity during the race, in which he was squeezed back early on, and then forced to go five-wide during the second turn. Unlike Backtalk, Mylilsecret responded when asked and was able to capture runner-up - though well behind Comedeo.
Making his first start after a disappointing 20th place finish in the Kentucky Derby was Backtalk, a son of Smarty Jones. He was cutting back in distance after the 1 ¼ mile distance of the Derby proved too much; he, too, broke alertly with Miguel Mena aboard but was forced four-wide on the turn. He was unable to mount much of a rally, however, and finished a steady third.
Rounding out the order of finish: Northern Giant (who finished well despite being bumped at the start), Son of a Bear (who enjoyed a ground-saving trip but could not produce the needed rally), Kens Cape (who jostled with Northern Giant) and Working Capital (who made a move at the sixteenth pole but could not keep up with the field).
The Arkansas-bred Comedero earned $237,600 for the victory for owner Peter Redekop B.C. and boosted his career earnings to $504,300; his race record now stands at 9-8-0-0. He began his 2010 campaign in late spring, capturing the Blue and Gold Stakes at Charles Town on April 17 in nearly record time. He continued his winning streak at Pimlico Race Course in the Gr. 3 Chick Lang Stakes on May 15. Stidham has indicated that the
Breeders' Cup is in Comedero's future, with at least one stop in Saratoga before the summer is over.
Bet on horse racing at the Bodog Racebook!
