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Byrd Wins Two Governor's Stake Trials
The trio of Tommy Byrd, Darlene Dickau, and Manny Silva brought home winners in two of the three Governor’s Stake Quarter Horse trials Wednesday, Sept. 23. Money on Cartel was an easy winner in the 11th race followed by Eyem Cleat in the 12th race to advance to the $75,000 Governor’s Stake final set for Saturday, Oct. 10.
Money on Cartel, breaking from post four, got out of the gate quickly for Byrd and set up early for an easy line to the wire. The two-year-old Cartel Dancer gelding ran by the wire one-half length ahead of Stone Heading West, who won the $100,000 Stallion Service Auction Futurity earlier in the month. Rodney Prescott rode Stone Heading West to his second place finish in the trial over Sam Lil Chic and Richard Gillard for third.
The victory for Money on Cartel was his third in six starts. The sorrel gelding increased his career bankroll to more than $16,000. Money on Cartel is owned by Manny Silva and trained by Darlene Dickau.
The second trial was a little more challenging for Byrd, who didn’t get as clean of a start. However, Eyem Cleat recovered quickly and ran his opponents down in the final strides to win by neck, reaching the wire ahead of Go Southern Chickie and Prescott. Mr Royal Ties and Julie Veltman finished close for third.
Owned and bred by Silva, Eyem Cleat now has two wins in nine starts. He has nearly $20,000 in earnings and is now on a two-race win streak. Dickau also trains the Dashing Cleat grey colt.
“He (Money on Cartel) broke to the lead and pulled away,” said Byrd. “It was a little easier trip than with the other colt (Eyem Cleat). He broke a quarter side off of them and then ran away from them. I just had to grab a handful of hair and hang on.”
A native of Heber Springs, Ark., Byrd was making his Hoosier Park debut. He has been riding Quarter Horses for more than 20 years and has accumulated well over 2,500 career wins. He was the leading Quarter Horse rider in the state of Oklahoma in 1993 and recently completed the Prairie Meadows meet, where he once again secured the leading rider spot. Byrd is headed to Blue Ribbon Downs in Oklahoma.
“I’ve ridden horses for (Manny) Silva for a long time,” said Byrd. “I’ve been riding for him up at Prairie Meadows and he asked me to come here. I couldn’t think of anyone better to ride for, and I plan to come back for the finals.”
Another newcomer took the final division of the Governor’s Stake trials. Jesses Swinger and Alex Baldillez Jr. came home a winner in the final race of the night. The Take Off Jess gelding is now three for eight for trainer Duane Keiser and owner Jeff Moore. Sir Jessie D and Veltman finished second. Stones Alibi and Tom C. Johns finished third.
