Racing Recap: Shooting Star Stakes Print
Wednesday, 09 September 2009 11:36
A race that way hyped-up to be the Clash of the Titans turned into a one horse dash; or more appropriately, a Sunday stroll.
 
In the one mile Shooting Star Stakes, the nine year-old veteran Maddies Blues went to the lead under jockey Andrew Irwin and held it from flag fall to that’s all to score a 1 ½ length victory.  The score was the eighth stakes victory here at the Horse Park for the speedy son of the late Aferd, who is owned by Curt Rohweder and trained by Dave Bernhardt.
 
Despite only one start at the Horse Park this year (a second in an Allowance race two weeks ago) Maddies Blues was fit and ready for the one mile test in the Shooting Star.  After all, this has always been his track, dating back to his North Dakota Bred Derby win in 2003. As the second choice (2-1) in a field of seven, ‘Blues plan for victory was simple.  Break strong from the one hole, command the pace, and reserve enough in the tank for a stretch run.  The plan worked to perfection as Erwin allowed the gelding to lope down the backstretch and withhold a late charge from 8-5 favorite Dance Cruise and Jake Olesiak.  Lonesome Traveler, the conquerer of ‘Blues on August 21st, finished third.
 
The Shooting Star was billed as the first meeting between three winners of the North Dakota Bred Derby but the 2007 champ Aferds Code Red and the 2009 winner Augie Gee were never factors, finishing fifth and sixth, respectively.
 
But the day, as it should have, belonged to the heralded “Czar of the Horse Park” who continues to write remarkable chapters in the history books at the North Fargo oval.  Injured last year, it appeared his career might be over but he returned again not only to win a race, but a lucrative stakes at that. 
 
Next year, he will be ten and there are more stakes to be won.  He’s already won eight here in his career.  Will eight be enough?  As we’ve learned from following this remarkable horse before, enough is never enough.