Clinton no longshot in Colonial victory

Clinton Longshot made an impressive Colonial Downs debut Monday, setting sizzling fractions en route to a 3 1/4-length score in 1:51.

Clinton Longshot, sent off at 8-5 in defiance of his name and 12-1 morning line odds, left alertly from post nine but was beaten to the early lead by Ethical Hanover, who led by a half-length through a quarter in :26.2. Driver John Wagner wanted no part of a pocket journey, however, and guided Clinton Longshot to the lead and consigning Ethical Hanover to second as the field flew down the Colonial backstretch.

Clinton Longshot poured on the speed to reach the half in :54.1 and kept flying unchallenged around the turn to get the three-quarters clocking in 1:22.4. Art’s Melody Man moved first-over on the turn to loom as the most threatening challenger but Clinton Longhsot spurted away in upper stretch to put the race under a hammerlock.

Clinton Longshot steadily drew off down the 1,300-foot stretch to notch the 3 1/4-length victory over Art’s Melody Man with Get the Keys closing belately to get third, a half-length in arrears of Art’s Melody Man.

Monday’s 1:51 clocking matched Clinton Longshot’s lifetime mark, set earlier this year at Dover Downs. The 5-year-old Dauntless Bunny gelding improved his seasonal earnings to $99,074 from 23 starts and five wins. Real Gregoire trains Clinton Longshot for Richards Stables Inc.

Colonial will wrap up its fifth week of the 2007 fall season with a 12-race card starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday. Six of the 12 races are eliminations for the $350,000 Virginia Harness Day of Champions on Oct. 27 and race six features Twin B Scamper going for her fourth straight win at the one-turn mile against nine rivals in an $11,000 filly and mare winners-over handicap. (Colonial Downs)

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