Looking as powerful as ever, two-time defending steeplechase champion GOOD
NIGHT SHIRT (Concern) overwhelmed Preemptive Strike (Roanoke) in the stretch to
win Saturday’s $75,000 Carolina Cup (NSA-G2) at a rain-drenched Springdale Race
Course in Camden, South Carolina.
Owned by Virginian Sonny Via and trained in Maryland by Jack Fisher, Good
Night Shirt ran his winning streak to seven, dating back to November 2007, and
announced that he has no intention of vacating the title he’s captured the past
two seasons. The The eigh-year-old Maryland-bred set up shop in second behind
Preemptive Strike in the field of five before launching a bid on the final turn.
Still second at the final fence, Good Night Shirt moved alongside the leader and
drew off late to win by 2 1/4 lengths. Isti Bee (NZ) (Istidaad) rallied for
third. Ridden by Willie Dowling, the winner covered the 2 1/4 miles and 14
fences in 4:36 1/5 over a soft turf course, and had to briefly sweat a stewards’
inquiry in the stretch run.
“I thought I was far enough clear, and (jockey Jody Petty) didn’t stop riding
but my horse does try to lug to the rail when he passes another horse,” Dowling
said. “The best horse won and he really was at his best today. He felt as good
as he’s ever felt. I had to make him work a bit on the turn, but when he gets
there, he’s wants it and he’s tough for any horse to handle.”
Good Night Shirt won the 12th race of his steeplechase career and picked up
$45,000 for his work. The payday moved the chestnut to second behind only
three-time champion McDynamo on the career earnings list with $979,493. Good
Night Shirt is bidding to become the first horse to three-peat since Flatterer
won four straight Eclipse Awards from 1983-86.
Fisher compared his horse to a truck.
“Other horses are sports cars, they might be quicker but it looks like he’s
got a big diesel engine pushing him,” he said. “He just keeps running. I try not
to worry about much, if he got beat he got beat. He doesn’t seem any different
to me than he did last year or the year before.”
A perfect five-for-five last year, Good Night Shirt started in the Carolina
Cup due to some changes in the National Steeplechase Association racing
calendar. The first Grade 1 of the year does not come until May 9 with the
$150,000 Iroquois in Nashville, Tennessee. Good Night Shirt won that race in
2007 and 2008, and will bid to become the first horse to win the race in three
consecutive years.