FROM “WORST TO FIRST” AND PLAYING “CATCH ME IF YOU CAN”

 "From worst to first" said track announcer of Countess Colette's recent effort. Photo courtesy J.J. Zamaiko

HMDC and partners had a perfect two-for-two week, and our stable’s runners could not have done it in different fashion. First up was our stakes winner Countess Colette. Now a 5- year-old mare, she always puts in an honest effort and while she has won two races sprinting, she always looks strongest late in a race going long.

The conditions of this race fit her like a glove – for accredited fillies and mares, non-winners of four races offered at six-furlongs for a $50,000 claiming price. It appeared the plan of action by trainer Mike Rone and Luis Rivera was to simulate one of those late- running efforts by Countess Colette. Right out of the gate, Rivera opted to rate her and took her towards the outside and got her to relax as the rest of the field went on. Duly rested, when Rivera asked he for run – he got what was requested. The Mapleton-bred miss appeared to have a slingshot effect around the turn, and her inertia took her flying past afield of familiar foes to win by a driving 2 1⁄2 lengths.

Countess Colette has had her share of “close but no cigar” races with 7 runner-up efforts and it is good to see her in the win column again. Her record now stands at 16-4-7-1 for earnings of $166,167, short or long she is looking good for a summer season.

Statuesque Rogues a Plotting is running to his good looks and scored his fourth win on Monday.

3-year-old Rogues a Plotting has spent half the season racing against his elder competition and it happened again on Monday. Except for the age difference, this race fit the gelding like a shoe (or Queen’s Plate). It was carded at six furlongs for accredited Ohio-breds non-winners of four races...bingo! Owned by HMDC, Taste of Victory Stables and TBC Stable, the son of Dominus has always shown a penchant for the front end of his races and when the gates opened the lead was his to take. Luis Rivera hit the “go button” and despite a bobble and a slight bump, he got the response he needed.

The race was decided as the field turned for home 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 and they never changed position as Rogues a Plotting confidently crossed the finish line 1 1⁄4 in front. Trained by Mike Rone the gelding now has a career record of 7-4-1-0 for career earnings of $86,807. Don’t be surprised if you see the names Rogues a Plotting and Countess Colette entered in an Accredited Ohio-bred Stakes in the near future.