Liquoreux, Smart and Fancy Win Inaugural South Carolina Residency Races

 The first South Carolina Residency Races were run on Saturday November 5^th.  Owners, trainers and SCTOBA members were treated to a beautiful November day and wonderful hospitality at Philadelphia Park.  Their Director of Racing Sal Sinatra commented, “This is a good start.  We hope we can build on the success of these races to make next year’s races even better.”

 The Christopher Elser Memorial Stake for the colts was won by Azalea Stables’ Liquoreux.  Liquoreux, now two wins in as many starts, is by Carson City out of the Deputy Minister mare Channel Crossing.  He ran the 6½ furlongs in 1:18 to win by 5¾ lengths.  The two-year-old gelding trained in Aiken, SC at Legacy Stables with Ron Stevens before going to trainer Richard Dutrow.  Ron Stevens said of Liquoreux, “He was a little rat and that’s why we gelded him.  He didn’t want to train or do anything right.  After we gelded him he started to come around.  The last six weeks here in Aiken, we really started to like the little guy.”

 Lansdon Robbins, managing partner for Liquoreux, praised the hospitality at Philadelphia Park. “Several of the partners in the gelding were able to attend the race.  Philadelphia Park did a fine job in handling the race.  We look forward to nominating for next year’s races.  As far as plans for Liquoreux, we will probably try to stretch him out in a graded stake next time to see if he belongs in that category.”

 Finishing second was Voo Kan Do, owned by E. Clinton Lowry and trained in South Carolina by Randy Rentz before going to trainer Bruce Kravets.  Guru Pasha ran third for owner Mark Buyck.  Guru Pasha was bred in South Carolina by Othneil Weinges and trained at the Elloree Training Center before going to Hamilton Smith.  The other finishers in the race were Jet Above owned by the Upstart Partnership and trained in South Carolina at Sugar Magnolia Farm; Sassy Lad owned by James Miller and trained in South Carolina at the McCutchen Training Center; and Mr Eugene owned by Serafino Gentile and trained in South Carolina at Dean Keller’s Training Center. 

The Donna Freyer Stake for the fillies was won by Smart And Fancy.  The Not For Love filly now has three wins from five starts.  She went the 6½ furlongs in 1:18.67 to win by1¾ lengths.  Smart And Fancy trained with Frank Smith at the Elloree Training Center before going to trainer Tony Dutrow.  Stuart Grant, part owner of Smart And Fancy, said, “We are thrilled to have won the inaugural Donna Freyer Stakes.  This race, together with the Elser Memorial, is a great step for the South Carolina horse industry.  We hope that this will attract more horses to be broke and trained in South Carolina.”

 D.D Knight Star ran second for owner Mike Gramiak.  She trained in South Carolina at Pine Tree Stable in Camden before going to Mark Fusco.  Running third was first-time starter One Slick Chick.  She is owned by Someday Farm and trained in South Carolina at Kirkwood Stable before going to John Servis.

 The other finishers were Stormy Orange owned by Mary Jo Herbert and trained in SC at Pacoma Farm; Gilty Prospect for owners Henry and George Elser and trained at Kirkwood Stable; and Don’t Be Long owned and trained in SC by Kenyon Furlong.

 The 2006 Residency Races, the Christopher Elser Memorial and the Donna Freyer, are tentatively scheduled for November 4, 2006 at Philadelphia Park.