TANGO RUN DANCES TO THE FIRST STAKES WIN OF THE SEASON
TANGO RUN DANCES TO THE FIRST STAKES WIN OF THE SEASON
IN THE $75,000 SOUTHERN PARK AT MAHONING VALLEY
Trainer William “Doug” Cowans came into the first Ohio Fund Stakes of 2018 with both barrels loaded as his trainees ran a clear 1-2 in the Southern Park at Mahoning Valley on March 24. Tango Run, the leading money winning 2-year-old filly in Ohio last season continued her winning ways and showed maturity while showing a new rating style of run.
The favorite in the field was Cowans trained Fancy Feelin who won her only race at two by 9 ½ lengths over eventual stakes winner Pure Justice. Owned and bred by Patricia and Dan Yates, the daughter of Jimmy Creed out of Rush to War had a series of solid works for her 2018 debut capped by a bullet 4-furlong effort. Breaking from the inside, she broke quickly and extended her lead by two lengths after a half-mile in the 6 furlong test.
Under regular rider Rex Stokes III, Tango Run settled in fifth early and was asked for run into the turn and responded willingly. The stablemates met up as the straightened into the lane and Fancy Feelin wasn’t giving up without a fight. They matched strides until the sixteenth pole when Tango Run pulled away to prevail by 2 lengths and it was 5 lengths back to two-time winner Dottei. Tango Run ran the distance in 1:14.85 and pushed her 5-race career earnings to $169,500 while recording her 3rd win in a Ohio stakes race.
“The horses wintered for about 70 days at Brian Waltz’ farm in Batavia over the winter and then I had them at Turfway Park up to their first breezes,” said Cowans who splits his stable between Turfway and Mahoning and eventually Belterra Park and Thistledown as the season progresses. “While I try to get to both tracks on a regular basis, I don’t have to worry because they are in good hands with Jorgie Hernandez who has been part of the team for 18 years. When I call to check with him, by now he knows what I’m thinking before I say it.”
“We met with the jockeys before the race and figured Walter De La Cruz had to go a little quicker out of the inside post than we preferred, to get position,” Cowans stated. “Tango Run has never lost while sprinting, but Fancy Feelin has the pedigree and running style that says he may do well at longer distances.” In her only career loss, Tango Run finished third in the 1 1/16 mile $150,000 John W. Galbreath Stakes.
Tango Run is by Darby Dan Farm stallion Run Away and Hide out of Thedoctorscat by Tale of the Cat. Bred by Dr. Harold Fishman, she was foaled and raised at Fair Winds Farm that is operated by his daughter Lori and husband Kim Williams. Offered at the Fasig-Tipton October Sale in 2016, the bay filly was purchased by O.T.B.O. member Mike Foster for $32,000. At Fair Winds Farm Thedoctorscat has a Kettle Corn yearling filly and recently foaled a colt by Itsmyluckyday. She is scheduled to be bred to Dominus this year.
FOUR-TIME SPRINT CHAMPION RIVERS RUN DEEP
BACK ON TRACK FOR 7-YEAR-OLD CAMPAIGN
Ohio’s most recent millionaire, Rivers Run Deep, is now 7-years old and he’s already proving he is no worse for the wear. Trainer Chris Hartman has never been afraid to travel to compete with Ready’s Image look-alike son. Last season he competed at six different tracks on dirt, mud and turf. He started his 2018 campaign with an off-the-pace win against some proven company at Oaklawn Park on March 10.
In the field was multiple graded stakes sprinter St. Joe Bay who was good enough to finish 4th by 3 ½ Mind Your Biscuits in the Gr. 1 $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen at Meydan in 2017; Smarty Jones Stakes winner Uncontested; Imma Bling, a sprint stake winner who came into the race off three consecutive wins; sprint stakes winner Rockshaw and multiple sprint stakes winner Recount who came into the race off a third place finish in the $125,000 King Cotton.
Ridden patiently by David Cabrera, Rivers Run Deep rated kindly in mid-pack and responded quickly when asked in the final 1/16th to get up over even-money favorite Recount by ½ length. The win was his 20th from 40 lifetime starts and pushed his career earnings to $1,126,765. He travelled the 6 furlongs in a sprite 1:09.63, earning a 104 Beyer figure.
The son of extremely successful sire Ready’s Image out of Music Miss by Prospector’s Music was bred by Nancy J. Lavrich & Walmac Farm, LLC. He is owned by Ywachetta and James Driver. It has been indicated by his connections, that when he does retire they will be looking to stand him as a stallion in Ohio.
