On Appeal on the mark at Calder

On Appeal did all the work and reaped the majority of the reward Thursday, winning Race 2 at Calder in gate-to-wire fashion, albeit by just a head over a closing Rick the Bartender.

A chestnut son of Closing Argument-Oh Nyet, by Time For a Change broke on top for jockey Luis Jurado, disposed of early challenger My Mass Media and 4/5 favorite Wildcat Formation by the top of the stretch in fractions of 22.23 and 46.07, and enjoyed a two-length lead before Rick the Bartender made his late bid. Final time for 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt was 1:19.57.

The race was for $25,000 claimers, non-winners of two lifetime. A winner from seven starts at age 2, On Appeal was third by a half-length (and a nose out of second) in his 3-year-old bow last out, for a $16,000 price. Stepped-up in class, he delivered the goods on Thursday, and at $20.80 to win. He has now earned $27,314.

I recommended On Appeal prior to his selling for $25,000 as Hip 218 at Ocala's April sale last year. He is one of 187 juveniles of 2010 that I recommended on this blog from selected 2-year-olds-in-training sales.

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