GRANTS PASS — Seattle Cartel held off Dahock in a driving finish and scored a nose victory in Monday’s $47,498 Adequan Grants Pass Derby Challenge for 3-year-old quarter horses at Grants Pass Downs.
With Cesar Moreno riding, Seattle Cartel ran 400 yards in 19.78 seconds and paid $3.20 as the public choice. Jose Rosales Gomez is the winning trainer for owner/breeder Javier Olmos.
Breaking alertly from the No. 8 post position, Seattle Cartel exploded to the lead and held sway to prevail narrowly.
A Washington-bred by The Louisiana Cartel, Seattle Cartel earned $21,849 to boost his life mark to $26,949. The fastest qualifier into the Derby, Seattle Cartel is unbeaten in three starts at the meet.
“The last couple races (Seattle Cartel) was breaking in, but Cesar (Moreno) did a good job of keeping him straight tonight,” Rosales Gomez said. “The horse is improving each out, getting better and better. It feels great to win a big race.”
Dahock, a 24-to-1 long shot ridden by Eduardo Gutierrez-Sosa, finished second but was placed fourth for interference in mid-stretch, and Super Bowl Sunny Day, ridden by Taylor Smith, was moved up from third to second place.
Jess Ozzy, with Jose Figueroa riding, finished fourth and was placed third by the stewards. The sorel gelding took up sharply when Dahock drifted in past mid-stretch, losing his best chance.
Rounding out the complete order of finish were Relentless Six, Miss Fancy Alleia, Louisana Bunny, Marcelino, Lionized and One Sweet Lippy. All starters carried 126 pounds.
On-track attendance was 748 and the total mutuel handle was $426,471.
NOTES: Attercop ($12.20) rallied from last to first under James Wooten Jr. to prevail in the David V. Hoover Memorial Purse named in honor of the popular late horseman. . . Trainers Teri Beckner and Emilio Guerrero had two winners each Monday. . .Taylor Smith, Mckenzie King and Jose Figueroa rode two winners each. . .Trainers Gary Greiner and Larry Stewart saddled their first winners of the meet, combining for the early double with Mergie Troid ($13.60) and Coach’s Valentine ($5.20). . .The $0.50 Jackpot Pick 5 carryover is $4,446. A mandatory payout was in effect Tuesday. . .The 2021 spring/summer meet concluded Tuesday.
Seattle Cartel held off Dahock in a driving finish and scored a nose victory in Monday’s $47,498 Adequan Grants Pass Derby Challenge for 3-year-old quarter horses at Grants Pass Downs. Photo courtesy of Grants Pass Downs
