Del Park Stakes Aug 7
8/9/2010

Cre Run Arabian Oaks (G2)

by Stephanie Corum

Because of a shortage of quality horses, this year’s edition of the Cre Run Arabian Oaks was open to fillies and mares 4-years-old and up, instead of just for 4-year-old fillies. The change allowed them to start 7 nice horses, but Sand Witchh, who does happen to be a 4-year-old, is simply in a class by herself.

The Guy Neivens owned filly broke cleanly and stalked the pace set by Uncorked. Celeztina, owned by Cre Run Enterprises LLC, settled into a close-up third. After a half-mile, Uncorked only maintained a ½ length lead over Sand Witchh. Jockey Billy Hollick let Sand Witchh gallop on and she effortlessly moved to the lead going into the far turn. At that time, AF Sassey Dreams started to make a run from the back of the pack. Sand Witchh was all alone on the lead so the race was for second and third in the 1 1/16 mile event. Uncorked started to tire from her pace-setting effort, which allowed Celeztina to take over second. But Lonnie Crowell’s AF Sassey Dreams continued to close ground in the stretch. Celeztina faded a bit in the drive and wasn’t able to hold second. Sand Witchh, who is trained by Tracy Nunley, drew off in handy fashion to win by 13 lengths in a time of 1:56.96. AF Sassey Dreams finished the best of the rest with Celeztina in third and Uncorked, Ovour The Moon, A Royal Flush and Vaavaa Voom rounding out the field. Even though no show wagering was allowed, the race still handled an impressive $232,809.

The winner’s share of the $30,000 purse brings Sand Witchh’s lifetime earnings to $111,060. The Burning Sand-Tornade Du Loup daughter, bred by Dianne Waldron, is undefeated in 8 starts over the last two years. Her latest win came on the same day as the great thoroughbred mare Zenyatta, who won her 18th straight race without a defeat. Two unbeatable race mares winning on the same day made for a great day for horse racing.

                                                    Sand Witchh                                                                    photos - P Smoke

lft - rt

R. Nunley, T, Nunley, (Nunley children) Sharon Clark, William Hollick, Deb Mihaloff Sharon Gunther