Owner Chrisman has always given the impression of unwavering professionalism as he continues to rake in the winners and edge ever closer to becoming only the second owner in Digiturf history to top the $1 million earnings mark. Winning top level events have become almost a daily occurrence to the master of virtual horse racing but even in defeat there are few more gracious than Digiturf’s current number one.
In the latest round of Juvenile Classic Qualifier Colts, Chrisman fielded two – I Am The Ruler and Frozen Dub. I Am The Ruler has struggled since an impressive maiden victory, finishing out of the frame in each of eight starts albeit in the best of company. He looked to be very much the second string here. In contrast, Frozen Dub had been the model of consistency, having been placed in each of his three attempts to date in classic qualifiers including when finishing fourth behind Ap Godzilla in a similar event last time out. Amongst the opposition today was the classy Dakota Celery, a multiple winner of qualifiers but undoubtedly more effective over further. Inx’s colt has never scored over this trip of 1800m or at any trip less than 2200m in four previous attempts.
Also in the line up on this occasion was an interesting runner hailing from the Captinj yard, Spotty Moose. This chestnut colt had looked impressive in notching up a hat-trick of wins to start his career and continued to do well, never finishing outside the first two to date. Ultimately, it was Spotty Moose who would go closest but not even he would be able to prevent Chrisman scooping yet another bumper payout here with Frozen Dub, going down by a half length. Despite holding every chance and having the best possible assistance from the saddle in the shape of top jock, Jack Ford, Dakota Celery demonstrated his vulnerability over this distance while still performing with merit in taking third spot.
The standings for this division still show Dakota Celery twelve points clear at the top, Karl Khoder’s Rule The Air is in second and Ap Godzilla holds third, a further eight points down. This performance now takes Frozen Dub up to fourth, three behind Ap822’s colt. It is worth pointing out that November’s final for this event is due to take place over 2200m – a distance far more suitable to Dakota Celery than the one he encountered here.
It took just half an hour for Captinj to gain compensation for this defeat when fielding Bigmomma to win the Juvenile Classic Qualifier Fillies. All the big names turned up for this one, including Chrisman’s Chromium and Filante Stables’ star filly, Pool Party. Bigmomma had already proven herself to be an awesome talent over the stayers’ distances, netting two stayers’ qualifiers in her only two attempts, including last time out when putting up an impressive display to beat a big field under Ted Reynolds. Here she showed she is more than capable of achieving the same over the classic distances. It is true that she had Jack Ford to assist her this time but she looked good here, taking down a quality field in ready fashion. Chrisman’s Chromium took second place, ahead of Gnb Racing’s Bank Note.
The standings for the fillies’ final still has Chrisman’s Chromium leading the way, fourteen points ahead of Pool Party in second who is two points ahead of Bank Note in third. Bigmomma moves into eighth spot following her victory here.
