SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Aug. 7, 2019) – To say Toss of Fate and Malcolm Franklin were in the thick of things during the 16th running of the $150,000-guaranteed Governor’s Stake is an understatement. The duo was covered up by horses the entire length of the one mile 70-yard race before shaking loose at the top of the stretch and striding home to an easy victory in a time of 1:43.11.
Toss of Fate left the starting gate with the pack seeking early positioning as Cap de Fuego and Angel Rodriguez grabbed the top spot heading into the first turn. He was accompanied by Flowerpecker and Rodney Prescott, who settled into a stalking position on the outside. Toss of Fate never had a chance to find a spot, sandwiched in between Wherewegoin and Eddie Perez on the inside and Barefootbootlegger and Fernando De La Cruz on the outside. The trio of horses tracked the progress of Cap de Fuego as he continued to lead the way down the backstretch.
In the turn, horses began to fan out a little giving Toss of Fate the opportunity to move down to the rail and get some running room. As soon as the field turned for home, Franklin shot Toss of Fate between horses and was on top of the eight-horse pack, eventually moving out to a two and one-quarter length advantage at the wire. Flowerpecker held on gamely for second over Cap de Fuego for third.
“Once he (Toss of Fate) cleared those horses, he always starts goofing off,” said Franklin regarding Toss of Fate picking up his ears before the wire. “I always have to stay busy on him. If a horse had come up to him, he would have taken off again, but you are always concerned a horse might come up quick that he doesn’t see, so I try to keep him going.”
Owned by Jeff and Sherri Greenhill’s Greenhill Racing, Toss of Fate now has four wins in eight career starts. The three-year-old son of Shanghai Bobby and a half brother to Greenhill’s standout Derby Express boosted his career tally to more than $232,000 for the win. Greenhill also trains the Indiana bred gelding.
“He (Toss of Fate) is pretty tall and lanky and he is 360 from his brother Derby Express,” said Franklin. “He is really easy to ride, and I got along well with him from the start. He’s the type of horse you want to just get him there and stay out of his way.”
Franklin has ridden Toss of Fate in all eight of his career starts dating back to last fall. He recognized the talent in the colt before he even made his first start.
“Malcolm (Franklin) told me early on this horse could run,” said Greenhill. “I asked him if he thought he was better than Derby Express and he said yes, and I just sort of laughed it off. Now, He might be right.”
Greenhill has tried Toss of Fate on both the dirt and the turn and although he has won on both surfaces, he now thinks he may be more prone to the dirt surfaces.
“He (Toss of Fate) ran a good race to finish third on the turf in his last stakes race, but I think he might be a little better on the dirt,” added Greenhill. “He can be eccentric. When we first started with him, he would pull up after a gallop and immediately spin and head the other direction at a sprint. We keep a pony on him now and even after galloping, the pony is pretty close to pick him up. When they can run, you put up with them being a little eccentric.”
Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing continues through Wednesday, Nov. 6. Racing is conducted Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 2:15 p.m. and Saturday at 6:15 p.m. More information about the season is available at www.indianagrand.com.
Indiana Grand Racing & Casino, which is owned and operated by a subsidiary of Caesars Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ: CZR), holds multiple awards for customer service, entertainment, gaming, dining, and diversity. Located in Shelbyville, Ind., Indiana Grand features 2,200 of the latest slots and electronic table games in addition to a one-mile dirt race course and a seven-eighths mile turf course offering live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing each year. Simulcast wagering is also offered year-round at Winner’s Circle Brewpub & OTB located on the casino floor as well as a Winner’s Circle OTB located in Clarksville, Ind. For more information, please visit www.IndianaGrand.com. Must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing at racetracks and 21 or older to gamble at casinos. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT (1-800-994-8448) ©2019 Caesars License Company, LLC.
Photos by Coady Photography
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