NEWS
Student Council regains top form in Pimlico Special
Posted: Friday, May 16, 2008 6:03 PM
STUDENT COUNCIL
Photo by Z
Trainer Steve Asmussen had not started a horse at Pimlico Race Course since Curlin's victory in the 2007 Preakness Stakes (G1), but his stable returned with style on Friday when Student Council chased down Gottcha Gold to win the Maryland Lottery Pimlico Special Handicap (G1).
Student Council snapped a series of four straight unplaced finishes since his consecutive wins in the Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) and Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap (G2) last August and September, respectively. Dismissed at odds of 7.20-to-1, he was the only Grade 1 winner in the field of seven.
The victory was especially significant for owner Ro Parra because he grew up in Lexington Park, Maryland, and attended, by his estimate, at least 15 editions of the Preakness.
"All from the infield, never from the grandstand," he said. "This is the first time I've been to Pimlico and watched a race from the grandstand."
The Pimlico Special also marked the first time Parra was able to be there in person when one of his horses won a Grade 1 race. Asmussen was not at Pimlico on Friday.
Parra said Student Council struggled to recover from an eighth-place finish in the Japan Cup Dirt on November 24 at Nakayama racecourse. He finished fifth in the San Antonio Handicap (G2), sixth in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) at Santa Anita Park, and came into Friday's race off a seventh-place finish in the John B. Connally Turf Handicap (G3) at Sam Houston Race Park on April 5.
"We were disappointed in the Santa Anita Handicap," Parra said. "We thought we were going to win the race. It's taken a while, but Steve had him ready. I spoke to [Asmussen] about an hour before the race and he said, 'Smile when you get in the winner's circle.'"
Ridden for the first time by jockey Shaun Bridgmohan, Student Council rated in last place through the first half mile before he gradually reeled in Gottcha Gold, who set a moderate pace with fractions of :23.87, :47.46, 1:11.39, and 1:36.17 through one mile.
Student Council caught Gottcha Gold inside the sixteenth pole and won by a neck in 1:54.87 on a muddy track.
Gottcha Gold, the second choice at odds of 2.10-to-1, finished 5 3/4 lengths clear of Sir Whimsey in third. Mineshaft Handicap (G3) winner Grasshopper finished fifth as the 2-to-1 favorite.
Parra bought Student Council privately from owner-breeder William S. Farish prior to the Pacific Classic. The six-year-old Kingmambo horse has won eight of 27 career starts and earned $1,301,731.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Jeff Lowe is a Thoroughbred Times staff writer
