Rise Up runs away with Delta Jackpot
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Photo:
Coady Photography
Anyone who is an Atlanta Falcons fan knows that the Dirty
Birds’ war cry is “Rise Up.” While there hasn’t seemed to be much life in the
ATL team this year, the war cry has not exactly rung empty. That is, it hasn’t
if you happen to be a fan of the colt by the same name. The bay son of Rockport Harbor landed the luck of the draw
in terms of post positions. While the far outside post is no man’s land at most
tracks, at Delta Downs, it is actually the perfect spot to be. With a long run
to the first turn, whoever is lucky enough to land to the outside has plenty of
time to size up the competition and decide what move will be best. That’s
exactly what Rise Up and jockey
Gerard Melancon did today when the field of ten broke in the G3 Delta Jackpot. When it became evident
that no one really wanted the lead, Melancon set his mount down and sent him
early.
Grabbing the lead well before the field hit the first turn,
Melancon and the chrome-faced Rise Up threw down the gauntlet and dared the
other nine contenders to catch them if they could. The duo easily cruised through
opening fractions of 22:82 and 46:30. As they turned for home, Rise Up needed
little urging to handily draw away from his opponents, being kept to the task
rather than really asked for run. He cruised under the wire a 6 length winner
with jockey Melancon victoriously fist pumping before the duo even hit the
wire.
While well within himself, Rise Up set a new stakes record
for the mile and a sixteenth race when he stopped the clock in 1.44:71. The
previous stakes record of 1.44:72 was set by Big Drama in 2008. Fourth betting choice Casiguapo checked in second, 1 ¾ lengths ahead of third place
finisher Rankhasprivileges. The
order of finish was completed by Roman Unbridled, Whyruawesome, Mighty Brown,
Big Bazinga, Coastline, Flat Gone, and Rum Point. Coastline was made the morning line and post time favorite, but
the Mark Casse trainee stumbled at the start. He settled well and made a bid
but gave way in the stretch after being taken out of his normal racing style by
the awful start.
As the second choice in the field of ten, Rise Up returned
$6.20/$4.00/$2.80. Casiguapo returned $6.00/$4.00, and Rankhasprivileges
returned $4.00. The $600,000 winner’s share of the Jackpot purse pushed Rise Up’s
career earnings to a tidy $810,633 and improved his record to 6: 4-1-0. His
only worse than second finish came in the G3 Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs
back in September when he tired in his first attempt at a route distance. Along
with a nice check, today’s victory also earned Rise Up ten Road to the Kentucky Derby points. Casiguapo was awarded 4 points for his second place finish,
Rankhasprivileges earned 2 points, and Roman Unbridled earned 1 point.
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