Distinguishable Finishes Third

Distinguishable relaxing Sunday morning

We have a new rival, her name is Jerre to Carrie, and we now owe her two races.

It just wasn’t Distinguishable’s day Sunday at Emerald Downs. She finished third as Jerre to Carrie led all the way for a 2 1/4 length victory in 1:09.99 for six furlongs. Parkers Delight finished second, 5 1/4 lengths ahead of Distinguishable, and Distinguishable edged Fly Far Away by a head for third place.

You might recall that Jerre to Carrie was the horse that beat McDove on April 22, meaning that Jerre to Carrie has now beaten both of our horses this season.

Sunday’s race was a $25,000 claiming race for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and up which have never won two races (not including maiden races and claiming races for $22,500 or less). Distinguishable earned $2,250 for third, and in two starts for ERC she has a win and a third and $8,300 in earnings.

The bettors were right Sunday, as they made Jerre to Carrie the 8-to-5 favorite followed by Distinguishable and Parkers Delight both at 2-1. Jerre to Carrie took the lead and set fractions of :22.13 for the opening quarter-mile, :45.10 for the half, and :57.16 for five-eighths. Distinguishable was in second place most of the way, but weakened noticeably in the final furlong and barely held third place.

Afterward, jockey Javier Matias said Distinguishable simply got tired chasing Jerre to Carrie, and he already knew on the turn that it wouldn’t be our day. It probably didn’t help that Distinguishable hadn’t had an actual workout since her win on April 9, as she skipped a couple of scheduled workouts because of track conditions. Disitnguishable jogged or galloped almost every day, but it just isn’t the same as a timed workout.

Matias added that Distinguishable also threw her head a couple of times in the starting gate and said he might suggest some morning schooling in the gate.

The good news is Distinguishable seemed to walk back to the barn OK, so we should be able to regroup and look for another race before long.

Incidentally, none of the horses in the race were claimed Sunday. Jerre to Carrie, claimed for $15,000 in the race two weeks ago, earned a quick $8,250 for her new owners Sunday.

With Mike Puhich still en route from Kentucky, it proved difficult to meet with ERC members after the race. I dashed to the jockeys’ room for a brief chat with Matias, and then headed back to the winner’s circle area and did manage to find a few of you and relay what was said. Going forward I think the area directly back of the winner’s circle is a good area to gather for a quick rehash of the race. There’s plenty of room and the location is directly across from the giant TV screen.

McDove, meanwhile, breezed five furlongs in 1:03.60 Saturday morning and is about ready for another race. The new condition book begins Friday, May 19.

I’ll try and head back to the stable Monday and make sure everything is OK with Distinguishable, and I’ll also be out early for training Wednesday and Thursday.

Enjoy the sunshine!

Reminder: The Blue Ribbon Farm field trip is Saturday, May 13. Their address is 26719 120th Street E., Buckley, WA. 98321. I’ll confirm a time with Debbie Pabst and send detailed driving directions later in the week. We’ll probably start around 9 a.m.