SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022) – The field in the $83,500 Bob Woodard Memorial Classic endured a rain delay and sloppy track conditions before the event that brought Stone Lake home for the 14th running of the event. The time of the 400-yard dash was :19.80.
It was a good start for Stone Lake and L.D. “Daniel” Martinez, but they were not on the lead from the start. Race favorite Beach Blast and Juan Marquez broke away as the early leaders of the race and appeared to be on his way to another win. But in the final strides, a pair of runners began creeping up on the outside Hooked on Jordan and Isidro Banuelos were the first to appear in the picture tracked closely by Stone Lake to his outside. The final two strides changed the outcome of the race with Stone Lake getting the nod by a neck at the wire over Hooked on Jordan. Beach Blast finished third in the three-horse photo.
Overlooked by bettors, Stone Lake paid $24.80 for the win. The four-year-old son of Escondido Beach is owned and trained by Tony Cunningham. He was a $15,000 purchase by Cunningham as a yearling at the QHRAI Speed Sale in 2019 and now has in excess of $339,000 on his card. The win in the Woodard Memorial Classic is the third stakes win for the chestnut gelding, who has seven career wins.
“Today’s draw really helped,” said Cunningham. “The eight hole seemed to be just perfect for him. Salvador, who works with him in the mornings, really helped prepare him for today. He’s a really honest horse. You can see it in his form. Today was just the right fit.”
Stone Lake has gone to battle many times against Beach Blast over the past three years. The Woodard Classic marked the first time the tables were turned for the geldings.
“I think this is the first time he (Stone Lake) got Beach Blast,” added Cunningham. “He (Beach Blast) is a great horse and always tough. We are super happy with our horse today. He’s as consistent as you can get. Daniel (Martinez) did a great job riding him today and getting the finish.”
Photos by Coady Photography
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