New Hampshire Sweepstakes at Rockingham Saturday
June 18, 2009,by Lynne Snierson
Salem, NH — Cactus Creek, the going away winner of his elimination race here a week ago, has been installed as the 5-2 morning line favorite for the $30,000 New Hampshire Sweepstakes Final at Rockingham Park on Saturday.
Cactus Creek will be partnered with Chris Long again and he is a deserving favorite in the full field of nine pacers slated to go postward in Rockingham’s signature race. The 6-year-old gelded son of Artsplace was a dominating winner of his elimination as he led every step of the way and made his 3-3/4 length win in 1:52.2 on a fast track look easy.
Still, Lover Boy Le Ru will attract plenty of support at the windows as he comes into the NH Sweepstakes as the 7-2 second choice after also winning his elimination race. Driven and trained by Raymond Vizzi, Lover Boy Le Ru had a tougher time getting his nose in front at the wire by just 1-1/4 lengths in 1:54.3. But after the effort, Vizzi described his horse as one that is lazy for much of the race but then digs down and gives all he has when asked in the drive for home.
Moreover, the 6-year-old gelding will start from the more advantageous post position number three, while the favored Cactus Creek, who has won over $460,000 on the track, begins his trip from post number eight.
The field for the NH Sweepstakes from the rail out with driver and odds is: Mata Harry, Richard Wojcio, 8-1; Mr. Nice Guy, Kim Ireland, 15-1; Lover Boy Le Ru, 7-2, Raymond Vizzi; Manchine, Gary Mosher, 15-1; Golden Mattjesty, David Ingraham, 10-1; Arid N, Bruce Ranger, 9-2; Freedoms Call, 5-1, Kevin Switzer; Cactus Creek, Chris Long, 5-2; and PH Bestman, Drew Campbell, 12-1.
In the featured race on the undercard, Gray Bomber comes in to the $12,500 Mountain Skipper Final as the 5-2 early favorite after winning both of his two earlier legs in the series. Gray Bomber, a 4-year-old roan gelding who has three wins and two seconds in five starts so far this year, will also be the sentimental favorite as he is trained and driven by John Nason and will be led over to the paddock by John’s son, Steve. Since New England harness racing legend Arthur Nason owned the redoubtable Mountain Skipper during his racing career, three generations of Nasons have direct ties to Saturday’s Final.