GRAND PRARIE, TX—OCTOBER 7, 2017—Always the bridesmaid and never the bride, the hard-knocking Cobalt Creek put it all together tonight (Saturday) to get his first career stakes victory in the Grade 1 $75,000 Refrigerator Handicap at Lone Star Park.

Ridden by champion jockey Ricky Ramirez, Colbalt Creek bumped at the start then rallied to finish the 440 yards in :21.593 seconds, a 93 speed index with a 3 mph tailwind. The sorrel gelding ran down graded stakes winner Wild Tycoon to get his neck in front at the wire and collect a winners' purse of $41,250. Dutcher finished three-quarter back in third.

"We had a little bit of a rough beginning,"” said winning jockey Ricky Ramirez. "He broke decent, but got into a little bit of traffic, got bumped around. Once they opened up a lane for him, he came running."

The 5-year-old son of multiple stakes sire Walk Thru Fire qualified to the Rainbow Derby(G1), Ruidoso Derby(G1), First Down Dash Derby, Ruidoso Juvenile and All American Juvenile at Ruidoso Downs his 2 and 3-year-old season. The best he could do was third in the Rainbow Derby(G1).

This year the John Stinebaugh trainee has been second in the Develop A Plan Stakes(G3), to the aforementioned Wild Tycoon, third in the King William Handicap and the Esplande Stakes and fourth in the Miss Polly Classic(G3).

Colbalt Creek is owned by VWP Jr., Inc. and was bred in Missouri by Jim Streelman and Bill Dale. Under Stinebaugh's director he has compiled a (27) 7-4-5 record and earned $258,303. The 5-year-old gelding is out of Checknbac by Check Him Out.

Trainer Carlos Sadivar conditions runner-up Wild Tycoon for owner Rogelio Marquez, Jr. Richard and Janelle Simon bred the Tempting Dash 5-year-old in Louisiana from the First Down Jewel mare First Down Hemp. He entered the race off a layoff after winning the Grade 3 Develop A Plan Stakes at Delta Downs May 27.

Wild Tycoon is a half-brother to three other stakes horses included multiple Grade 1 winner and leading Louisiana sire Jet Black Patriot. The $12,750 runner-up check tonight brings the graded stakes winner's earnings to $70,261. Raul Ramirez, Jr. had the ridding call.

Also, bred in Louisiana, third-place finisher Dutcher races for owner Jumonville Farms and Brian Ranch.Trainer Jimmy Padget, II saddled with Rodrigo Vallejo riding.

A homebred son of leading sire Apollitical Jess, the 5-year-old picked up $7,500 for his effort to bring his bankroll to $193,633. He is out of the Mr Eye Opener mare Louisiana Eye Opener.

Heza Bell Perry, Kraken Black, Kid Can Dash, He Is The Risingstar, Apollitical Wave, Kbw Catalyst and Kw Cowboy completed the field.

Tonight’s win in the Refrigerator Handicap put Ricky Ramirez on top of the rider standings with 11 wins over Luis Vivanco who has 10. Trainer Trey Wood is leading with 8 wins over Jimmy Padgett who has 6.

Join us for more live which racing resumes on Thursday, October 12. Eight live races are scheduled. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. First race post time 6:35 p.m.