$100,000 NH Sweepstakes Final Saturday
August 24, 2005,by Lynne Snierson, publicity director, Rockingham Park
SALEM, NH — Although Bobnoxious had little trouble beating the other five horses in the field in last week’s prep race, his trainer takes nothing for granted when they all line up again in Saturday’s $100,000 New Hampshire Sweepstakes Final at Rockingham Park.
“I look for them all to bring their ‘A’ game,” Sam Beegle said from his farm in New Holland, Pennsylvania. “I don’t think any one of the other five can be called the horse to beat.”
Bobnoxious, a five-year-old son of Nude Beach and the Autumn Jet Mare Blue Autumn, pulled off the mild upset as the 7-2 second choice in last Saturday’s $20,000 New Hampshire Sweepstakes Prep when he wore down 1-5 favorite Whosurboy in deep stretch to win by 1 1/2 lengths. Bobnoxious, who paced the mile in 1:51.4 on a fast track, doesn’t need this week’s big test to set up exactly the same way. He is the quintessential versatile race horse.
“I don’t have any new strategy planned,” Beegle said. “We’ll just let the race unfold. Bob can win any way you can think of. He can win on the lead, he can race two-over, he he can race with cover, he come from behind, he can come from way back, he can do it all. He’s just a hard hitting, good old horse.”
He certainly is. Bobnoxious, who has been racing mostly in Delaware, has made 12 trips to the winner’s circle this year and has earned over $600,000 in his four-year racing career. He’ll attract plenty of attention as the morning line 9-5 favorite in Saturday’s $100,000 Final, especially with regular driver Timothy Curtin back for a return engagement.
“Everything’s going just fine,” Beegle said. “Bob’s feeling great. He’s training great. He’s right on schedule, and we’re looking forward to coming back to Rockingham for the big race.”
The field for the Final, from the rail out with driver and odds is: Hot Rum, Michael MacDonald, 5-1; Whosurboy, David Ingraham, 2-1; Alpine Dandy, Fernand Paquet, 4-1; Life Sizzles, Claude Huckabone, 10-1; Bobnoxious, Timothy Curtin, 9-5; and West Gun, Larry Stalbaum, 12-1. Post time for the 10-race card is 1:05 p.m.
Also on Saturday, every paid admission over 18 will receive a free instant scratch ticket from the Granite State Lottery and everyone over 21 can register to win a VIP hospitality package from Miller Lite to the NASCAR race at New Hampshire International Speedway in September.
Live racing resumes on Friday with a 10-race card and Coors Light Fantastic Friday with the Coors Light Driver of the Week Award. Fans on track may also register to win a $25 gift certificate to Hooters Restaurant in Salem at the main bars in the Clubhouse and Grandstand. Post time is 1:05 p.m.