Virginia-Bred Toccet’s Charm Wins 22nd Race In 88th Career Start

Ten year old Toccet’s Charm made his 88th career start on New Years Eve and came away with his 22nd career victory and 53rd “in the money” finish.

Toccet’s Charm collected his 22nd career victory on New Years Eve at Turf Paradise. Photo courtesy of Coady Photography.

The consistent gelding has only one finish worse than third in his last 12 starts between outings at Hastings Park, Emerald Downs and Turf Paradise. His tight one-half length triumph on December 31st came at the latter in Phoenix, Arizona in a one mile race. Bred by Audley Farm Inc., the son of Toccet came six wide from fourth at the head of the stretch and broke a string of five straight second place finishes. He is out of the Cape Town mare, Ruler’s Charm.

Greek God beat Rare Eagle by a neck January 7th at Laurel. Photo courtesy of Jim McCue.

Greek God is a 7 year old Pleasantly Perfect gelding that competed for the 57th time on a cold afternoon January 7th at Laurel. Jockey Julian Pimentel guided the winner to a gate-to-wire performance in which he beat runner-up Rare Eagle by a neck. The Larry Johnson-bred  victor  corralled a two length lead early in the 1 1/16th miles event, opened by 3 1/2 at the top of the stretch, then hung on against a fast closer for the score. He won for the 10th time and pushed his bankroll to $185,680. Owner Ita’s Racing earned an extra 25% bonus courtesy of the VTA/HBPA Mid-Atlantic Incentive Program. Greek God is out of Grecian Wings by Mr. Greeley.

Carbon Data won his second career race that same day at Gulfstream Park. The Chad Brown trainee raced three wide tracking the pacesetter in the first half then won the $31,000 claiming race by 1 1/4 lengths. Javier Castellano directed the 5 year old Birdstone gelding to victory in the 1 1/16th miles race in 1:42.04. Carbon Data was bred by Lazy Lane Farms, LLC and is out of the Sky Classic mare, Penny Marie. The victory boosted his bankroll to $81,080 from just 7 starts.

My Mel Mar won her first lifetime race January 3rd at Turf Paradise. Photo courtesy of Coady Photography.

My Mel Mar connected in a maiden claiming race at Turf Paradise January 3rd. The 4 year old Discreetly Fine filly, bred by the Picturesque Farm in Warrenton, pressed the pace from second throughout and won by 2 1/2 lengths. She completed the five furlong sprint in :59.52. My Mel Mar collected her first win in ten lifetime starts. She is out of Mammal of Action by Lawyer Ron.

“Sticksstatelydude (First Dude) and jockey Joel Rosario win a MSW at Saratoga Racecourse 8/1/15. Trainer: Kieran McLaughlin. Owner: Alvin S. Haynes & Elizabeth Burchell & John Ferris “

This Friday, January 12th, a pair of Virginia-bred horses appear in stakes races. Sticksstatelydude is in the $125,000 Fifth Season Stakes at Oaklawn on their opening day feature while Yes to the Dress competes in the $60,000 Take Charge Brandi Stakes at Delta Downs. The former was bred by Canyon Lake Thoroughbreds and enters the stakes sporting a bankroll of $334,050. The 5 year old First Dude horse will be making his 11th career start and will get the services of Gary Stevens up top. The latter won the Jamestown Stakes September 30th at Laurel and is fresh off an impressive trio of outs. The 3 year old daughter of Congrats earned a maiden special weight triumph September 13th at Delaware and finished out the year with a runner-up in an allowance optional claimer December 8th at Fair Grounds.