Mystacallie lived up to the hype as she romped at odds of 3/5 in her Opening Day Maiden Special Weight victory. Mystacallie sat a perfect trip just outside of early pacesetter Dawn’s Wild One and took control as the field entered the home stretch. Jockey Debbie Hoonan-Trujillo asked the 3 year-old filly for her best down the lane and she drew off to win by 4 and ¾ lengths.
The win was just the first step in a season long journey for Mystacallie and her honorary owners, the fans and listeners of 95.5 The Game. The Game and Portland Meadows have teamed up with Mystacallie’s trainer Ben Root to provide a unique ownership experience to fans and listeners of The Game, all while doing some great things for charity. Portland Meadows has agreed to match all earnings that Mystacallie accrues throughout the 2008/2009 season and donate that amount in the name of Mystacallie’s owners at years end to the Oregon National Guard Emergency Relief Fund.
“That was great,” said Portland Meadows GM William Alempijevic after Mystacallie’s win. “I think she is going to have a good year and give her honorary owners a lot of thrills this year.”
“We wanted the people of Portland to experience the rush of cheering on your horse and the phenomenal feeling of smiling in the Winner’s Circle after a win. Ben Root obviously had Mystacallie sharp and he did a great job of targeting this race and having her ready to run. Because of his efforts we had a lot of smiles here at Portland Meadows and over $3,400 added to the account to be donated to Emergency Relief Fund. We welcome everyone who wants to get in on the ownership experience to contact us and get in on the fun.”
The race carried a purse of $6,300 and the win generated a donation in the amount of $3,465 for the Oregon National Guard Emergency Relief Fund. Portland Meadows will continue to match all purse earnings from the meet and will make one large donation in a special ceremony on closing day – March 24, 2009.
All listeners of 95.5 The Game and racing fans alike are encouraged to email Portland Meadows to get in on becoming an honorary owner. If you’d like to join the honorary ownership group, email info@portlandmeadows.com and tell us if you’d like to be a part of this winning team!
Honorary ownership gets you into the game like never before. You’ll get to come to track in the morning to watch Mystacallie train, as well as get insights into her workouts directly from trainer Ben Root. On race days honorary owners will get to be in the paddock and watch Mystacallie warm up, and talk with the jockey to discuss race strategy. And if Mystacallie can duplicate her winning performance, then you’ll be where every horse owner wants be, The Winner’s Circle!
Mystacallie’s next race is slated for Sunday October 19th.