Post-Race Analysis:
Landslide Farm's Spring Salute out-jumped eight rivals to capture
the $50,000 Grade II Zeke Ferguson Memorial Handicap, his first
graded stakes victory. Dismissed at odds of 13-1, the grandson of
Hoist the Flag romped to a 7 1/2 length victory over 33-1 shot Al
Skywalker, keying a $136.40 exacta. The winner is trained by leading
steeplechase trainer (measured by money-won) Sanna Neilson. Pompeyo
(Chi), who is also trained by Ms. Neilson, finished third.
Spring Salute established a new stake record covering the 2 1/4
miles over a firm course in 3:59.31 surpassing the previous record
of 4:00.75 set by Dalton River in 1998. "I'm not surprised"
said a thrilled Neilson after the race. "He ran well at Saratoga
this year, and showed signs of being a good horse when he was younger.
It's on to Far Hills and the Breeder's Cup now."
Winning jockey Craig Thornton kept Spring Salute in sixth place
for most of the race before gradually moving him into contention
down the backside the last time. Spring Salute split horses around
the final turn before drawing off from the rest of the field through
the stretch impressively. "He really jumped well" said
Thornton in the winner's circle. "I taught him to jump back
at Sanna's farm, and he showed today that he learned his lessons
well."
Pompeyo, who had been off since June 8th, made a strong move around
the final turn but flattened out through the stretch and was no
match for Spring Salute. Prior to the Ferguson Pompeyo had earned
$151,255 from five starts this year including victories in the Hard
Scuffle and the Joe Aitcheson, both of which are Grade I novice
races worth $100,000. The Ferguson was his first start against open
company.
Ninepins (GB), who went to the post as the high-weight carrying
156 pounds, raced in fourth place before fading badly around the
final turn. He was beaten by a total of 29 lengths. The 13-year-old
gelding, who prefers softer ground, had won the $100,000 Grade I
New York Turf Writer's Cup Handicap in his last start and was conceding
14 pounds to the winner.
All Gong (GB), the second high-weight at 154 pounds, raced near
the back of the pack early in the race before passing tiring rivals
through the stretch to finish fourth. The 6-year-old son of Kris
had won the $100,000 Grade I Atlanta Cup earlier this year.
Darn Tipalarm fell at the last fence. His jockey, Jonathan Thomas,
was removed from the course by ambulence and taken to one of the
local hospitals.
Golden Rule (GB), Romantic and Approaching Squall all scratched.
The Ferguson was a prep for the $250,000 Grade I Breeder's Cup
Steeplechase to be run October 21st in Far Hills, New Jersey. Conspicuous
in their absence from the Ferguson field were 1998 steeplechase
Champion Flat Top and Campanile, both of whom are trained by Janet
Elliot. Flat Top has been off since winning the $175,000 Grade I
Royal Chase at Keeneland this Spring, but is still pointing for
the Breeder's Cup Steeplechase. "He may run in a flat race
before the Breeder's Cup" said Elliot recently from her training
base in southeastern Pennsylvania. As for Campanile, who won the
Grade II A.P. Smithwick at Saratoga before finishing second to Ninepins
as the favorite in the Grade I New York Turf Writer's Cup, he is
being freshened according to Elliot and is also being pointed towards
the Breeder's Cup.
The complete results of the Ferguson are listed below.
 |
|
Spring Salute and jockey Craig Thornton in the paddock
before the Grade II Ferguson.
(Wendy Fletcher photo)
|
Spring Salute (left) and Rowdy Irishman (right) lead
Ninepins over the hurdle at the top of the stretch with
one circuit left to go in the Ferguson.
(Wendy Fletcher photo)
|
|
 |
 |
|
Spring Salute drew off through the stretch to defeat Al
Skywalker (red cap) by 7 1/2 lengths. Pompeyo (second from
right) finished another 3/4 of a length behind in third.
(Wendy Fletcher photo)
|
| |
|
|
Results:
|
FP
|
Horse
|
lbs
|
Jockey
|
Trainer
|
Owner
|
|
1
|
Spring Salute |
142 |
Thornton |
Neilson |
Landslide Farm |
|
2
|
Al Skywalker |
140 |
McCarthy |
Majette |
Frank A. Adams |
|
3
|
Pompeyo (Chi) |
148 |
Brown |
Neilson |
Augustin Stables |
|
4
|
All Gong (GB) |
152 |
B. Miller |
F.B. Miller |
Calvin Houghland |
|
5
|
Rowdy Irishman |
146 |
Marzullo |
Haynes |
Vesta Balistiere |
|
6
|
Soaringoverseattle |
142 |
Murphy |
Voss |
Warren Dempsey |
|
7
|
Ninepins (GB) |
156 |
Kingsley |
Sheppard |
Hudson River Farms |
|
8
|
Duc Morninere(Fr) |
140 |
Petty |
F.B. Miller |
Calvin Houghland |
|
F
|
Darn Tipalarm |
144 |
Thomas |
Fisher |
Mrs. Henry S. Stern |
|
SCR
|
Approaching Squall |
140 |
|
Voss |
The Fields Stable |
|
SCR
|
Golden Rule (GB) |
148 |
|
Day |
Claytonville Stables |
|
SCR
|
Romantic |
146 |
|
Sheppard |
Timber Bay Farm |
| Winner: |
Spring Salute - Bay Gelding, April 19th,
1994
Bred by Michelle M. Delozier in MD |
| Pedigree: |
Salutely - Rumspringa, by Rambunctious |
| Scratched Horses: |
Romantic, Approaching Squall, Golden Rule
(GB) |
| Pgm |
Horse |
Win |
Place |
Show |
| 8 |
Spring Salute |
29.40 |
14.40 |
6.20 |
| 2 |
Al Skywalker |
|
20.20 |
7.20 |
| 10 |
Pompeyo (CHI) |
|
|
3.80 |
| Wager Type |
Winning Numbers |
Payoff |
Pool |
Carryover |
| $2 Daily Double |
8-8 |
388.40 |
7,267 |
|
| $2 Exacta |
8-2 |
136.40 |
20,418 |
|
| Pgm |
Comment |
| 8 |
Spring Salute: unhurried early, bid between
horses final turn, clear, driving |
| 2 |
Al Skywalker: stalked pace, finished gamely |
| 10 |
Pompeyo (CHI): void early speed, wide final
turn, failed to sustain bid |
| 1 |
All Gong (GB): void early speed, passed tiring
rivals |
| 6 |
Rowdy Irishman: no factor |
| 11 |
Soaringoverseattle: led, weakened |
| 7 |
Ninepins (GB): outrun |
| 1a |
Duc Moriniere (FR): bobbled after second hurdle |
| 9 |
Darn Tipalarm: speed, tired, fell after last
hurdle |
| |
| Owners: |
8 Landslide Farm; 2 Frank Adams; 10 Augustin
Stable; 1 Calvin Houghland; 6 Vesta Balestiere; 11 Warren R.
Dempsey III; 7 Hudson River Stable; 1a Calvin Houghland; 9 Stern,
Mrs. Henry F. |
| Trainers: |
8-Sanna Neilson, 2-Jenifer Majette, 10-Sanna
Neilson, 1-F. Bruce Miller, 6-Bruce Haynes, 11-Thomas H. Voss,
7-Jonathan E. Sheppard, 1a-F. Bruce Miller, 9-Jack Fisher |
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Pedigree for SPRING SALUTE
SPRING SALUTE, G, 1994 DP = 5-4-6-0-3 (18) DI = 2.00 CD = 0.44
RIBOT
TOM ROLFE 1952 [CP]
1962 [CP] POCAHONTAS II
HOIST THE FLAG 1955
1968 [BI] WAR ADMIRAL
WAVY NAVY 1934 [C]
1954 TRIOMPHE
SALUTELY 1947
1978 NEARCO
AMERIGO 1935 [BC]
1955 SANLINEA
POLITELY 1947
1963 SUN AGAIN
MORN AGAIN 1939
1954 MORNING
1934
OWEN TUDOR
RASPER II 1938
1952 RED SUNSET
RAMBUNCTIOUS 1941
1960 THE SOLICITOR II
DANAE II 1941
1947 JUSTITIA II
RUMSPRINGA 1935
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Breeding Analysis:
Breeding Analysis of winner to follow.....
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Post-Race Analysis | Results
| Pedigree | Breeding
Analysis
