Mast Track ends drought in Native Diver

I was greatly looking forward to the Native Diver Handicap this past weekend, because I thought I would get to see Lava Man race for the first time in nearly 17 months. That wasn’t to be, because trainer Doug O’Neill scratched the gelding from the race because of rain. The field was still strong with Mast Track, Neko Bay, Tres Borrachos, Square Eddie, and High Court Drama as the contestants. Doug O’Neill trained High Court Drama and Square Eddie.

2008 Hollywood Gold Cup winner Mast Track was able to take an easy lead from Tres Borrachos, and ended up winning the race in relative ease under jockey Rafael Bejarano. He paid $8.20 to win, which is a very solid price on him considering that it was only a five horse field. I was fortunate enough to have a $50 win bet on the son of Mizzen Mast.

Mast Track was purchased by Stronach Stables the day before the race. He was previously owned and trained by the late Robert Frankel. I hope to see him continue to run strong, and I hope that he will be a force in California in 2010. High Court Drama was along for second after winning his first U.S. startlast out. He looks to have a promising future on either the synthetic or turf course.

The other big story from this weekend involves an ex-claimer winning a graded stakes race. Rodman was racing for a $35k tag six months ago, and is now a candidate for the Donn Handicap after an easy win in the Queens County Handicap. He went wire to wire and beat a good horse in second place finisher Researcher. Storm Play was also in the race, but wasn’t much of a factor.

Did anything happen in the horse racing world that you’d like to discuss? Leave a comment and let me know!