Casino Host left it late to win the Muniz Memorial Handicap at Fair Grounds
Chad Brown trained 4-year-old colt, Casino Host, was sent as the 10 to 1 choice in the Grade 2, $400,000 Mervin H. Muniz Jr. Memorial Handicap, but under jockey John Velazquez the run seemed to be perfect in the stretch in a field of 10 older horses, and
he downed other runners on the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots’ turf course on 1 April, 2012.
The 5 to 2 slight favourite, Slow Pace, was out of the gates swiftly, but immediately gave away the lead to Mr. Vegas, who showed the way through pedestrian fractions, as he passed the quarter pole mark in 24.33 seconds, half mile in 50.04 seconds and six
furlongs in 1 minute and 14.39 seconds.
The Kentucky bred son of Dynaformer, Casino Host was content in racing mid-pack, but the 4-year-old took the long path on both turns as he went a little wide than Velazquez would have wanted.
Though, when he came on to the stretch, Casino Host found a good spot as he overhauled the tiring Mr. Vegas and vied for the lead over the hard trying the 9 to 1 choice, Papaw Bodie. The clear path in front of Casino Host was enough to seal the deal, as
he out finished Papaw Bodie in second and David Carroll’s trainee, Joinem in third.
“He is a hard-trying horse that has been running with some pretty good horses and has not had the best of luck," said Gary West. "We thought he would like this course, especially the 1 1/8 miles. That’s about his right distance."
"He was right there on the money and when I asked him he responded and put (up) a good fight down the lane,” John Velazquez said.
Gary and Mary West owned Casino Host is out of mare Ensenada by Seeking the Gold, and the colt with a win in the Grade 2 Muniz Memorial Handicap has stayed undefeated in 2 starts this season. He was coming off a victory in an allowance test over at Gulfstream
Park’s turf course under John Velazquez on 4 February, 2012, at about 1 1/16 miles.
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