Apple Of My Eye sparkles at Maywood
January 22, 2004,by Mike Paradise, publicity director, Maywood Park
Melrose Park, IL — The veteran seven-year-old state-bred mare Apple Of My Eye ($14.60) showed she can still hold her own with the best distaffers on the Chicago circuit. The Guy Calvert-trainee rallied to capture Wednesday night’s $16,500 Open Pace for Fillies and Mares at Maywood Park.
Sent off at 6-1 odds, Apple Of My Eye took advantage of a torrid early duel by the favorites and a very favorable second-up journey to rush past for a one length victory in 1:564.
Handicapped with the outside seven slot, the 4-5 favorite C C Spice had to race three-wide through all of the first turn with 14-1 longshot Charisse (number two, Brent Holland) and 5-2 second choice Melajusted Promoss (number three, Andy Miller) inside of the Breeders Crown finalist.
C C Spice didn’t clear Melajusted Promoss until near the :274 first quarter pole. Driver Dave Magee was able to give last year’s American-National and Courageous Lady champion a :293 second panel and the mare’s :292 third quarter kept the first-over Future Forecast (Dale Hiteman) from brushing past.
However, C C Spice could only come home in :302 against a 20-plus mile per hour head wind and finished a tiring third, one length behind Melajusted Promoss and two lengths in back of the winner, owned by Rattlesnake Ranch Inc. of East Moline, Illinois.
“I didn’t push her early on and I was glad to see a speed battle up front early between those other horses. Then I was able to get a good second-over trip behind the four horse (Future Forecast),” said winning driver Ryan Anderson. “She hung a little bit through the last turn but once we came out of it, and she straightened out, she really kicked into gear.”
Apple Of My Eye has banked over $420,000 in a little over five years of racing and the Armbro Mackintosh offspring shares Maywood Park’s track record for a four-year-old (2001) mare of 1:523 with Giggles The Clown.
“This mare is just all about class,” Ryan added. “Last year she raced 40 times and gutted out $52,000 the hard way.”