NIKEELA BLACK WINS 3 MORE INCLUDING STAKES
Denny and Sandy Weigt’s Illtacmanhattan remained undefeated in five starts by capturing the $44,010 John Deere Sandy Downs Challenge Finals for two-year-old quarterhorses at 350 yards at Sandy Downs on Saturday.  With hot jockey Nikeela Black aboard, the filly went wire to wire in 17.579 in a field of eight.  Trained by Monty Arrossa, Illtacmanhattan paid 5.20 to win and increased her maiden season earnings to nearly $44,000.  Jockey Black had three wins and a second in four mounts over the two-day 15 race weekend.  She graduated on May 14 with a J.D. degree from the University of Idaho and is preparing to take the bar while notching an impressive 7 wins from 12 starts in the current Sandy Downs meet.
Saturday’s co-feature, the $36,630 Adequan Sandy Downs Derby Challenge for three-year-olds was won by Classic Bush with Robert Webb in the irons. The Washington-bred gelding won for the fourth time in five outings this year and is now 7 for 16 in his two year racing career.  Classic Bush dueled with runner up Lajolla Famosa to cross the wire by a neck and returning $13.00 to win.  The 400 yards stake was run in 19.716 seconds.
Also on Saturday’s card, Flyin Rose set a track record in breaking her maiden in her debut performance.  The 2-year-old filly romped to a 4 ¾ victory in just 15.246 seconds for the 300 yards test.  Paul Greene was up for one of his three weekend winners.  The Idaho-bred owned by Dennie and Kris Hill went off as the favorite and returned $3.40 to win.
RACING TAKES A BREAK…RETURNS JULY 8
Racing will take the long holiday weekend off and return on Friday and Saturday, July 8 & 9.  Live racing continues through July 30.
Fans that can’t make it to the track in the area can watch and wager at the Turf Club at Fort Hall.  Sandy Downs is now literally available worldwide with live streaming of the races at Idabet.com.  Horseplayers can open an account at Idabet.com, not only to bet Sandy Downs, but most racetracks in North America and many more across the world.
