Askbut I Won’ttell takes G3 My Charmer (photo Jim Lisa Photos)
Launching her winning bid from off the pace, Askbut I Won’ttell charged from the center of Calder’s turf course and overhauled pacesetter Trip for A. J. to win the $100,000 My Charmer Handicap (G3).
Entering off a 11⁄4-lengh score in the Cardinal Handicap (G3) on November 7 at Churchill Downs, Askbut I Won’ttell left the full field of fillies and mares in her wake in the final furlong, rolling to a three-quarter-length win.
“I wanted to take her back a bit more so that by the time we reached the turn, I wouldn’t have any problem tucking in to save some ground,” winning jockey Shaun Bridgmohan said. “She is a very easy filly to ride, so I’m able to put her anywhere in the race I want her.”
The four-year-old Horse Chestnut (SAf) filly continued trainer Chris Block’s recent roll. The My Charmer victory came eight days after the Illinois-based trainer saddled Giant Oak to a win in the Clark Handicap (G1) at Churchill and nine days after a win in the Falls City Handicap (G2) with Dundalk Dust.
Askbut I Won’ttell overcame a tough front-runner in Trip for A. J. to win the My Charmer. Despite being pressured by Volver (Ire), Trip for A. J. still ticked off moderate fractions of :49.42 through a half-mile and 1:12.40 through six furlongs while Askbut I Won’ttell saved ground in eighth. Bridgmohan maneuvered Askbut I Won’ttell to the far outside entering the stretch and the filly responded with an electric turn of foot for the win. “She’s had a good year for us now winning back-to-back stakes,” said co-owner David Block. “She’ll stay in training next year and will go to Gulfstream [Park] now.”
Trippi-filly Trip for A. J. held on for second followed by Evading Tempete (GB), who was third in her North American debut.
By 1999 South African Horse of the Year Horse Chestnut (SAf), Askbut I Won’ttell improved to six wins from 16 career starts and earnings of $320,132 with the win. She is out of the Green Dancer mare Silver Dollar Kate.— (Thoroughbred Times)
MY CHARMER H. (G3)
Calder Race Course, December 4, $100,000, 3yo & up, f&m, 9fT, firm, 1:47.91.
ASKBUT I WON’TTELL, 117, Ch. f. 4, Horse Chestnut (SAf)—Silver Dollar Kate, by Green Dancer. Owner, Team Block and Ege, Rich; breeder, Hidden Point Farm Inc. & Hal Queen Farm (Fl.); trainer, Chris M. Block; jockey, Shaun Bridgmohan. $57,660. Lifetime: 16-6-3-2, $320,132. $14,000 2007 FTMSEP. Half to Cal’s Baby($110,350), Cherokee Dancer($107,319).
Trip for A. J. 115, Ch. f. 3, Trippi—A. J.’s Hot Shot, by Explodent. Owner, Peter D. Fuller; breeder, Peter Fuller (Fl.); trainer, Milton W. Wolfson. $18,600.
Evading Tempete (GB) 117, Dk b. or br. f. 3, Dubai Destination—Late Summer, by Gone West. Owner, Martin S. Schwartz; breeder, Wentworth Racing (Pty) Ltd (GB); trainer, Patrick L. Biancone. $9,300.
Margins: 3/4, 1 1/2, 3/4;
