BUSSMANN-BALAKAS BOOKEND THE SUPER IN THE DERBY CONSOLATION

B’S CAPECRUSADER used his pivotal red blanket starting position to edge his nose in front by the first turn and then never look back in winning the $20,000 Southland Derby Consolation during the “appetizer” race just before the big Derby championship event. LAGRO CC NANCE (Magic City Kennel) was able to hold off a late charge by SOVEREIGN ISLAND (Ryan Farms) to claim runner up honors.

Not only did the Bussmann-Balakas kennel get the victory, but their other entry, BOC’S COVER UP, was able to ride the rail home to finish fourth to round out the superfecta ticket which paid just a dime over fifty bucks for a dime base bet. Other finishers in the race included FF CHAMPION (Robert Thorne) who finished fifth, DEL SOL KEITH (David Blair Kennel) who finished sixth, MONEY CANNON (Magic City Kennel) who finished seventh and Charter Kennel’s VJ HIT THE BOARD rounded out the field.

As the favorite of the race, B’S CAPECRUSADER paid $6.00 to win and anchored a $1 quiniela price of $9.00. His finishing time of 32.62 was about four and a half lengths better than LAGRO CC NANCE. B’S CAPECRUSADER is owned by Paula Balakas.

“BEST OF THE BEST” HOTBOX SERIES COMING IN AUGUST @ SOUTHLAND PARK

As a concept that will replace the $21,000 “All-Star” Kennel Challenge Stakes, the “BEST OF THE BEST” hotbox series will kick off in August and will feature eight recent top grade winners of the week in a single race every Saturday evening. The race will feature an additional $5,000 in added purse and will be showcased during the 11th race on Saturday nights that month.

The first set of this series will be contested during the week of July 30th and will feature four “AA” races on both the Sunday and Wednesday twilight performances. The eight winners of those races will then be placed in the “BEST OF THE BEST” hotbox race on that Saturday evening’s 11th race of the card. The winner gets to stay in for the following Saturday evening, while the rest go back to the regular race ranks.

The second set and each week thereafter, seven “AA” races will be drawn with the winners facing the returning champion from the previous week. The last week in the series will be the week of August 27th with the final hotbox race occurring on September 2nd. In addition to the normal purse for the week, $5,000 will be split among the eight contestants in each week’s hotbox race. A consecutive winner of the hotbox race will earn a bonus of $5,000 and could earn up to an additional $20,000 in bonus money should he/she go undefeated.

The action could be as hot as the weather in August around the Memphis area so be sure to tune in to see who can claim to be the “BEST OF THE BEST”!