Russian Greek gave a 7 to 1 surprise to the Gold Rush Stakes field after his stretch move to win the race
The 2-year-old dark brown colt, Russian Greek, surged past his opponents after being pegged at 7 to 1 to claim the $75,260 Gold Rush Stakes by a neck at Golden Gate Fields on 10 December, 2011.
Inoel Beato was aboard Russian Greek, and the jockey seemed to have a lot of confidence in his ride because he kept Russian Greek in the rear for the most part of the race and down the stretch decided to cut loose the juvenile colt, who then rallied past his opponents to win the one mile event.
It was a special race run by Russian Greek, who was in trouble at the start of the race with a stumbling break, but quickly overcame it to keep himself in the race.
With a stumble and then a powerful run down the stretch to overhaul the eventual runner up, Marshal Marini, who appeared to be going for the kill got stopped in his tracks to lose by two and a half lengths as the pace setter Blacky the Bull followed next in third place.
In the field of six, Lucky Culprit, was sent off as the 7 to 5 favourite but unfortunately he had to be pulled up by jockey Russell Baze after being bumped in the first turn because Cahill Chrome knocked him sideways on the turn which forced the colt to lose pace and got left behind.
“He is lame in his left hind,” said Morey. “The sheath that connects to the Achilles tendon was torn away, leaving the tendon loose. His prognosis for racing again is very poor. It’s not life-threatening but it is career-threatening. There are a million ways for a horse to get hurt but you don’t think of this one.”
Meanwhile, Russian Greek was settled by the rail for his winning move giving his trainer, Jerry Hollendorfer, another opportunity to win after her longshot Killer Graces landed the Grade 1 Hollywood Starlet.
“I didn’t want to go outside so I took a chance on going inside,” said Beato. “I rode (Marshal Marini) at Fresno and knew he liked to drift out. It worked out.”
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