A day to Remember for Sumacha’hot
The atmosphere was electric at Laurel Park Racecourse on Saturday, 26 September 2009, and spectators were scrambling to get their bets in and seats secured. The main race of the day was the Jim McKay Maryland Million Classic, and almost twenty thousand members of the public waited patiently to see their favorite horses in live horse racing action. Speculations and predictions were given on what most believed would be the out come of the race, but one horse had other ideas, and shocked racing fans with a magnificent victory, namely Sumacha’hot.
During race discussions and predictions, the name of Sumacha’hot, was never even mentioned. Most put their money on the four top race favorites, Sweet Goodbye, Regal Solo, Broadway Producer and Rhythm Master. The beautiful colt, Sumacha’hot, was only picked by those willing to take a chance on him, and the gamble most definitely paid off. Hubert Cave, known as Butch Cave, claimed Sumacha’hot for five thousand dollars and had originally entered his horse in the Jim McKay Maryland Million Classic and the Maryland Million Starter Handicap, but decided at the last minute to scratch form the Starter Handicap, take a deep breath and go for the Classic instead. Even though Sumacha’hot was a top favorite for the Starter Handicap, Cave believed in his horse and gave jockey, Grant Whitacre, a few thoughts on how to ride this talented horse.
Those who had bet on Sumacha’hot went through a few tense moments during the race as the colt was being held in last position by his jockey, and remained there until the far turn. But it was all part of the racing strategy, and as soon as Whitacre found a gap, he steered Sumacha’hot towards it and began flying past his fellow competitors. As he begun overtaking the race leaders, Cuba and Regal Solo, spectators began to think that it would be a very tough finish, but Sumacha’hot won the Maryland Million Classic by two and a half lengths, and comfortably doubled his career earnings by collecting the two hundred thousand dollar purse. After race, Whitacre celebrated the biggest win of his racing career, and commented to the press, “This horse never breaks, and he didn’t today. You just have to bide your time with him and really pick your spots to get through. He’s a great horse who runs his heart out, and today he proved it.”
