Pembroke Prayer wins Ricci Memorial in record time

Pembroke Prayer posted an upset of Biblical proportions on Saturday at Scarborough Downs, defeating World Champion, Enough Talk in the $50,000 Joseph Ricci Memorial Invitational.

 

In a race filled with incredible early speed, the outcome figured to be determined by the horse best able to position himself in the opening moments. Under the urging of driver Heath Campbell, Pembroke Prayer left alertly and discouraged the other leavers in the group; Speed Bomb (Ron Cushing) forced into the pocket, BatalJLauncher (Shawn Gray) consigned to the wide side and destined to be parked out throughout, and Enough Talk (Peter Kleinhans) wrestled back to last.

 

Pembroke Prayer continued to employ the front-end strategy throughout and with BatalJLauncher clogging up the outer flow, Enough Talk was forced into a three-wide gambit up the backstretch. The World Champ appeared ready and willing to rally toward the top when the unthinkable happened -- he went off stride.

 

“He’s handy on a half mile and oh so tough when he gets to the lead,” said winning driver Heath Campbell. “It was unfortunate what happened to Enough Talk today, but my horse was good.”

 

Pembroke Prayer‘s victory timed in 1:57.3 equaled the all-age/sex track record at Scarborough Downs. It also marked the 3rd time that owner William Varney reined victorious in Ricci competition (Pembroke Prayer is co-owned by Mark Ford).

 

“I want to thank Scarborough Downs for hosting top-level events like this, giving us an opportunity to race top-level horses in front of the hometown fans,” said an emotional Varney. “We won back-to-back Ricci’s with Stars Photo, but this is the most rewarding.”

 

The win was the 25th victory for Pembroke Prayer whose career bankroll now totals just shy of a half-million dollars.

 

Speed Bomb finished second, Hot Shot Blue Chip (Don Richards) finished third.

 

Enough Talk, made the prohibitive favorite by the local fans, finished a disappointing last today. Driver Peter Klinehans, gracious in defeat, nonetheless, followed through on his promise to call the final race track-side. A former announcer at Hoosier Park and The Red Mile, Klinehans enjoyed the opportunity to call his first race of the season.

 

The $50,000 Joseph Ricci Memorial is held in memory of former Scarborough Downs track owner, Joseph Ricci. It is the richest invitational in all of New England. (Scarborough Downs)