Stash The Cookies thrown out of debut win

Stash The Cookies appeared to win the Fillies and mares Open Handicap in her 2023 debut on Thursday (Mar. 16) at Fraser Downs, but a disqualification for a first-turn violation gave the victory to Moosette (Hes Watching).

Stash The Cookies (John Chappell), sent off at 7-1 blasted from post seven to take point going into the first turn. She cut a quarter of :27.4 and proceeded to the half in :58.1. Moosette was out and moving for Brandon Campbell at that point but was struggling to make headway as Stash The Cookies raced strongly to three-quarters in 1:25.2.

Moosette closed in on the homeward turn, but Stash The Cookies edged back out at the top of the lane. Moosette cut down the gap down the lane and produced a late surge but fell a head short to Stash The Cookies at the wire.

The judges posted Stash The Cookies as the unofficial winner but, after the mare had made her trip to the winner’s circle, also lit the inquiry sign. After review, they ruled she had caused confusion on the first turn to the horses behind her and disqualified her to last of seven. This promoted Moosette to the win, Hang On Sloopy (Bradley Watt) to second, and Century Mach (Kelly Hoerdt) to show.

MOOSETTE REPLAY

It was the second consecutive win in the class for Moosette. The mare is now 25-for-70 lifetime with $183,078 in the coffers. Jim Marino trains the homebred six-year-old for Shale Stables of Merritt.

Campbell won all of the last five races on the card.

Fraser Downs racing will be back on Friday, Mar. 17 at 7:00 p.m. PDT.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink