By Mark Hansel
NKyTribune Contributor
Even a third round NCAA Tournament game featuring the undefeated University of Kentucky Wildcats couldn’t keep the crowd away from the Grade 3 Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati Spiral Stakes Saturday.
Attendance figures were not available, but the 1,800 seats in the VIP tent sold out more than a week ago and there was a raucous crowd on hand in the grandstand as well.
Those who backed Dubai Sky in the Spiral Stakes walked away as winners and UK fans, which seemed to be nearly everyone, saw the Wildcats defeat the University of Cincinnati Bearcats.
Dubai Sky was acting up in the paddock before the race but Penny Gardiner, assistant trainer for Bill Mott, said she really wasn’t concerned.
“It’s not nerves with him, he’s just kind of a bruiser, I don’t know any other way to describe it,” Gardiner said. “He just has kind of a mind of his own and likes to do things his way, which is OK as long as this is his way.”
Dubai Sky certainly had his way with the Spiral Stakes field. The bay son of Candy Ride stalked the pace early on from his outside post position, took the lead turning for home and drew off to a 2 ¼ lengths victory.
At 7-1 odds, Dubai Sky returned 16.80 to his supporters, but for many at the Florence, Ky., track, the races were just a small part of the day’s festivities.
Making a fashion statement on big race days is a tradition in Kentucky and the Spiral Stakes crowd was no exception.
Brenna Aschermann, and Pam and Ron Porter, all of Union, were among those dressed to the nines in the VIP tent.
“We’ve been coming here for the last 15 years,” Aschermann said. “We like dressing up and we see a lot of people we know and, of course, there’s the betting. We’ve all grown up in this area and we love Turfway Park, so we try to support it every chance we get.”
Tom Ryan, a Turfway Park mutuel clerk, was manning the $100 minimum-bet window in the tent.
“We haven’t been super busy but it comes in spurts and the races will get a little better as the day goes on so it will pick up,” Ryan said. “We haven’t had that really big bet yet but several people have bet $300 or $400.”
Also easy to spot was restaurateur Jeff Ruby, decked out in white-rimmed sunglasses, a black jacket with an elaborate white pattern and sporting a white cowboy hat. Ruby, who said he was saving his bankroll for the Spiral Stakes, may have been the big bettor Ryan was waiting for.
“I’m going to bet on Mike Smith’s horse (Conquest Typhoon) because he’s here at Turfway and because he’s wearing my colors.
Smith, the hall-of-fame jockey who is a mainstay on the Southern California circuit, was indeed wearing pants emblazoned with “Jeff Ruby Steakhouses,” but could manage only a second-place finish on the West Coast shipper.
“I can’t complain one bit,” Smith said. “I thought my horse ran dynamite.”
Over in the grandstand, many took advantage of temperatures in the 60s to watch the races from the rail.
Shannon Steffen of Florence, Melissa Brock of Crestview Hills and Kelli and Steve Houp of Independence were all decked out in UK gear as they prepared to watch the race.
The group saw the Wildcats win at the Dixie Club Bar & Café in Erlanger then raced to Turfway in time to catch the Spiral Stakes.
“We had to get here for the race, but we didn’t want to miss the end of the Kentucky game” Steve Houp said. “It’s a great race every year and this year we had great weather, too. What more could you ask for.”
Turfway Park General Manager Chip Bach said he was a little concerned that the UK game might hurt attendance, but was pleasantly surprised.
“We had a good walk-up crowd and the weather really was perfect,” Bach said.
“I think the horse that won, Dubai Sky, has the chops to compete in the Kentucky Derby. He’s not nominated so that’s up to the owners, but if you get a chance to go to the Derby, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I would love to see it.”
Jockey Jose Lezcano was aboard Dubai Sky and also guided Don’t Leave Me to victory in the Grade 3 Bourbonette Oaks, sweeping the days top races. Lezcano, who regularly rides the Florida circuit at this time of year, also won on Mygalsal in the seventh race, his only other mount of the day.
Dubai Sky earned 50 Kentucky Derby points for the win, which is enough to get him in the starting gate at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May, but is not nominated to the race.
Chris Baker, chief operating officer for winning owners Three Chimneys Farm said they may consider a late nomination for the colt, which is now on a four-race win streak.
“Well, he paid his way so we’ll see.” Baker said. “We’ll think about it. Roses in March, why not in May?”
How they finished:
Dubai Sky
Conquest Typhoon
Firespike
Task Force Glory
Royal Son
Metaboss
Wireless Future
Another Lemon Drop
Magic of Believing
Big Family
Watchyourownbobber