Bob’s Tuscola Explodes in Stretch for Firecracker Win
 When the smoke cleared after a mad rush to the first turn of the Firecracker Hotbox at Gulf Greyhound Park in front of a huge Independence Day crowd, it was evident that this was no ordinary box of sprinters. By the time the pack reached the tote board, there had already been two lead changes, and there would be a third before the end of the race.
Amazingly, one of the biggest closers over the 550-yard course, C Ya Costa Maya, jumped out of the box and attempted to lead the rest of the pack to the 1/8-pole marker; however, Pat Dalton’s Too Late had other thoughts. Too Late, wearing the seven-blanket, blew past the number two Costa Maya and captured the front-end, but there was a storm brewing behind the leader, and it was led by a couple of brothers from one of the best litters that GGP has ever seen.
The brothers, Bob’s Tuscola and Bob’s Skeet, both from “the litter,” had moved their way through the pack and were lying second and fourth respectively as they entered the stretch. On this day, Too Late was no match for either Tuscola or Skeet. Bob’s Tuscola, showing his brother that he would not be denied his fifth straight grade AA win and his first stakes victory, exploded past Too Late and extended down the stretch for a two-length victory.
Bob’s Tuscola conquered the 550-yard course in 30.57, while his more famous brother Skeet, would settle for runner-up accolades, running a 30.71. The win by Bob’s Tuscola would snap Bob’s Skeet’s three stakes race win streak; however, trainer Tommy La Rosa really didn’t seem to mind. “It didn’t matter to me which one of them won the race, as long as one of them came through,” said La Rosa. “It just shows what kind of a litter this is…they have speed and intelligence, along with the guts to drive into open holes. It’s also a tribute to Robert Stokes for breeding and raising such a good litter of dogs.”
After Bob’s Tuscola, the Firecracker Hotbox finished as follows: 2nd – Bob’s Skeet, 3rd – Singitfor Bettie, 4th – Too Late, 5th – San Tan Jackpot, 6th – C Ya Costa Maya, 7th – Swagger Stick & 8th – Seegold Hallmark. |
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