by Mike Paradise, publicity director, Maywood Park
Melrose Park, IL — Caps Classic had his own way on the front end and the 9-5 public’s choice took advantage of it, capturing the $16,500 Illinois bred Open Pace at Maywood Park on Friday night.
The victory was Caps Classic’s fifth in 26 season starts and all but one of those triumphs have come on half-milers, three at Maywood Park and a pair at Freehold Raceway for Illinois owners Marty Engle and Rucker Stable Inc.
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Maywood Park Photo
Tony Morgan hustled the winner away from the advantageous one hole at the start and the rest of the seven horse field dropped into line in the early going. Caps Classic was able to post soft first half quarters of :282 and :284 with the number two horse By Buddy Bob (Ron Marsh) taking the pocket trip.
Driver Mike Oosting took Wrist Rocket out after the leader right before the :571 half and the eight-year-old gelding raced outside of Caps Classic through a snappy :274 third quarter but Caps Classic ($5.60) had plenty left, zipping to a :273 last panel and posting a one length victory over the 2-1 second choice My Buddy Bob with a 1:524 clocking. Cold Sweat (Dale Hiteman), who raced inside throughout, came on for third, beaten two and three-quarter lengths.
“Caps Classic is old and sore, but he gets really brave over here,” said winning trainer Ken Rucker. “He just loves Maywood Park. He’s the barn favorite at home and has been for a long time. My wife Catrina takes care of him every day.”
“This horse is not nearly as good on the big track as he is here at Maywood,” Morgan concurred. “He runs out in the stretches pretty good, so he’s much better over here. He really likes his work and will race hard even when he’s sore. He’s a real racehorse.”
The tenth race victory increased Caps Classic’s season’s earnings to $68,352 and his career bankroll to $379,741.