FORMER STABLEMATES RUN 1-2

They used to share the same shedrow. On Monday they shared the same starting gate…and the top two spots in a $35,800 allowance sprint at Thistledown. HMDC and Taste of Victory’s Dr. George was hoping to make it two wins in a row after scoring his first career win in his second start. Also in the race was one of our former color bearers, Roll On Big O. When the gates opened, big late money flashed on the board and at 1 to 5 odds, Roll On Big O rolled right out to the lead while Dr. George broke cleanly and settled in behind the pacesetter along the rail. With “Big O” racing unchallenged on the lead, Anthony Nunez pulled Dr. George off the wood to the three path to launch his bid, but “Big O” had now pulled away steadily to hit the wire 5 ¾ lengths to the better of his old barn buddy who was well clear in second for a Mapleton-bred exacta. If they write a race with the exact same conditions, 3-year-old Dr. George will be eligible after three more wins. While we were hoping for our second win, 4-year-old Roll On Big O recorded his fifth. Huh? The devil is in the details: For Accredited Foals Three Years Old and Upward which have Never Won a Race other than Maiden, Claiming, Optional or Starter or Have Never Won Two Races.

The “Doctor” did receive his co-pay of $7,160 for his office