Thursday, February 23, 2012

Race Recap: Santo Gato Quick As a Cat in Thursday Feature

1751 Gentilly Blvd.,   New Orleans, LA 70119   www.fairgroundsracecourse.com

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Contact: Jim Mulvihill, Communications and Pari-Mutuel Marketing Manager, 504.948.1233, james.mulvihill@fgno.com

Contact: Graham Ross, Staff Writer, 504.948.1255, graham.ross@fgno.com

 

santo gato quick as a cat thursday at fg

 

By Graham Ross, Staff Writer

 

NEW ORLEANS (Thursday, February 23, 2012) – Dan Lynch, Ken Sentel and Merrill Scherer’s Santo Gato broke in full stride and made the pace throughout in Thursday’s $51,000 Fair Grounds feature, an allowance and $40,000 optional claiming sprint transferred from the Stall-Wilson turf course and run at 5 1/2-furlongs over the main track.

 

The 2 1/4-length winner, ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan and trained by part-owner Merrill Scherer, accomplished the distance in 1:04.12 after early splits of 22.57 and 45.84, increased his career earnings to $140,544 with his third victory (all at Fair Grounds this season) from 20 lifetime starts and returned mutuels of $11.80, $5 and $3.60.

 

Sturges Ducoing’s Bergman, settled just off the early pace, continued willingly late to gain the place, paying $3.60 and $2.80 while finishing a half-length in front of Winning Connections’ Southern Vintage, who returned $3.80 in the third position.

 

Racing resumes Friday at Fair Grounds with the fourth of six Starlight Racing programs scheduled at the New Orleans oval this winter, featuring a special first race post time of 5 p.m.

 

About Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots

Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, the nation’s third-oldest racetrack, has been in operation since 1872. Located in New Orleans, Fair Grounds is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN); it also operates a slot-machine gaming facility and 10 off-track betting parlors throughout southeast Louisiana. The 140th Thoroughbred Racing Season continues through April 1, 2012, highlighted by the $1 million Louisiana Derby for Kentucky Derby hopefuls on April 1. More information can be found online at www.FairGroundsRaceCourse.com.

 

-FG-

 

 

___ 
 
James J. Mulvihill
Communications & Pari-Mutuel Marketing Manager
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots
A Churchill Downs Incorporated Company

1751 Gentilly Boulevard, New Orleans, LA  70119

504.948.1233 [office]
504.481.8770 [cell]

Louisiana Derby Preview Day Presented by Lamarque Ford Feb. 25
Fair Grounds Oaks Day March 31
Louisiana Derby Day (Closing Day) April 1

Starlight Racing Feb. 24, March 16 and March 30

www.FairGroundsRaceCourse.com/Media

 

 



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