In Friday’s On Tap column, we posed several questions for the weekend to answer, and here in our LookBack, we see what those answers were:
- Can mid-Atlantic connections take home any of the Eclipse Award hardware this weekend?
- Yes. Maryland-based rider Victor Carrasco, a newly minted journeyman, won the award for top apprentice in the nation after leading all bug riders in wins and earnings. And Pennsylvania-bred steeplechase horse Divine Fortune took home top honors in the steeplechase category.
- Who will take the featured eighth at Laurel?
- Favored Dawly scratched from the race, and bettors hammered morning line second choice Irish Lion down to 7-5. That horse — third in the 2011 Ohio Derby — won comfortably over Prospero. Marilyn’s Guy, who won the 2012 Excelsior, continued to struggle, finishing sixth of seven.
- What do you do with favored Willies Grand Slam in the eighth at Penn National on Saturday?
- If you took a shot against him, you were happy with the result. Bet down to 4-5, he ran pretty evenly and had no answers in the stretch. He finished third, beaten 7 1/2 lengths. Buy on the Rumor, 2.40-1, won easily in the nickel claiming event.
- Can another debuting youngster open some eyes at Parx?
- No. In Sunday’s maiden special weight event, Offlee Golden, making his fourth career start, won easily, by 4 1/2 lengths, in 1:10 4/5 for six furlongs. Firsters Kiss Me Forever, Medallezza, and Giantess finished fourth, sixth, and eighth, respectively.
- And in Tuesday’s Appalachian, can favored Strike the Moon (8-5) get it done?
- No, because Tuesday’s Appalachian at Charles Town won’t take place. Racing is canceled this evening.
