SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Oct. 5, 2019) – WRs Apolliticalivory, the homebred son of Apollitical Blood, turned in an impressive trial and recorded the quickest of two trials to set up the $100,000 Governor’s Stake final set for Saturday, Oct. 26. Ridden by Berkley Packer, the freshman gelding stopped the timer in :17.851 for the win.
WRs Apolliticalivory wasted little time getting involved in the pace of the race at the start of the 350-yard dash. He had a head in front from the start and kept race favorite Merciless Fire ridden by Juan Galvan to heels. Merciless Fire began to kick in halfway through the stretch and inched up on WRs Apolliticalivory, but his efforts were too late as the victory was recorded by WRs Apolliticalivory by a neck. Justafamilytradition and Shanley Jackson won a close photo for third.
WRs Apolliticalivory is now three for four lifetime. He is owned by Williams Racing Stables of western Kentucky. Randy Smith trains the talented two-year-old, who moved up to 350 yards for the first time in his career.
First Hero V and Galvan were victorious in the final race of the night, which was the second trial for the Governor’s Stake. The One Valiant Hero colt was ready for action when the gates sprung and was on top quickly from his inside starting spot. He held his opponents at bay throughout the entire race to win by one-half length at the wire in :18.046. SBM Soulja Boy and Jose Beltran held strong for second over WRs Quick Blood and Berkley Packer for third.
It was the second win in six starts for First Hero V, who is owned by Arturo Lechuga Jr. Claudio Barraza trains the sorrel colt, who was a Heritage Place purchase for $6,500 as a yearling.
The entire field for the Governor’s Stake final, in order of qualifying position with jockey and time, includes: WRs Apolliticalivory (Berkley Packer, :17.851); Merciless Fire (Juan Galvan, :17.891); First Hero V (Juan Galvan, :18.046); SBM Soulja Boy (Jose Beltran, :18.116); Justafamilytradition (Shanley Jackson, :18.166); My Pillow (Giovani Vasquez-Gomez, :18.168); WRs Quick Blood (Berkley Packer, :18.188); Relentless Chick (Ruben Cacho, :18.206); The Black Ace (Sammy Mendez, :18.296); and Coronado Coast (L. D. Martinez, :18.459). Smith has three headed to the final (WRs Apolliticalivory, WRs Quick Blood and The Black Ace) while Barraza will handle two in the final (Merciless Fire and First Hero V).
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