11-18-2009, 03:58 PM
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Hollywood Park
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Floral Park, NY
Posts: 921
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Stewards' scratch prevents 12-year-old's return
Quote:
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - A potentially unsavory situation turned into a tearful one Wednesday when a 12-year-old mare who had not raced in more than nine years was scratched in the paddock prior to the fifth race at Churchill Downs.
Grand Forks, whose last race had come Aug. 7, 2000, at Del Mar, was 15-1 with 11 minutes to post for the $5,000 claiming race when chief steward John Veitch conferred for several minutes with owner-trainer Kathleen Costello, ultimately informing her that the mare had to be scratched. Costello, 27, broke into tears, denied of her chance to make her debut as a trainer.
"I can't afford to bring her down here and not run her," Costello, based in Lexington, said between sobs.
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"An Absolute Thriller!!" - Grassy wins a six-way photo finish, Saratoga 9th, 8-22-09
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