Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 25, 1995 TAG: 9506260074
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: D-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The Rolex Grand Prix of Roanoke promises to be hotly contested this afternoon, but prior to its 2 p.m. start at Salem Civic Center, a word from the defending champion.
Kevin Babington, the Irishman who rode Tornado to the title last year, says he likes his horse's chances again.
``Tornado has felt good this year,'' he said. ``He's actually jumping better than last year.''
Tornado hit a fence and was out of the money in the Open Jumper Stake on Friday night, which many riders use as a tuneup for today's Prix. Stop the Press, another of Babington's horses, also failed to place in Friday night's competition, but Babington has entered both in today's $50,000 go-round.
Tornado certainly should be considered one of the top contenders, his Friday night shortcomings notwithstanding.
Another horseman who must command the attention of prospective handicappers is Aaron Vale, 26, of Rembert, S.C., who won the the Open Jumper atop Mafito. The veteran steed ripped through the Fuzzy Mayo-designed course in a brisk 47.450 seconds to fend off challenges from second-place Kit N Kaboodle with Hugh Mutch up and third-place Catch A Wave, the defending champion in the event, ridden by Vicky Miller.
Miller, the petite Englishwoman, has ridden well here each of the past two years. She has Catch A Wave as well as Pilot Point entered today.
Vale is also entering another horse, Alfredo, in this afternoon's competition. Alfredo hit a fence and was out of the money Friday.
``He slipped Friday and again [in the Welcome Jumper Stake] Thursday,'' Vale said. ``If he can avoid slipping in the Grand Prix, he'll have a chance.''
Mutch had two horses including sixth-place Low Rider place in the Open Jumper. A third, Germanicus, was the runner-up in the Welcome Jumper Thursday. Germanicus is entered today but Low Rider will rest and Mutch will ride Margo today.
Kimberly Prince rode Browning to the title in the Welcome Jumper and was among the first to declare for the Prix. The deadline was 2 p.m. Saturday.
Jimmy Torano entered three horses in the Open and placed The Riddler eighth. The Floridian will ride The Riddler along with Victoria and The Clown today.
Past champion riders in the Grand Prix are few. David J. Raposa, who won here in 1991 aboard Seven Wonder, is the only other one besides Babington entered. Raposa will compete today riding Promises, Split Decision, and Preservation.
Four-time winner Rodney Jenkins is in Switzerland this week. Other past champions including Terry Rudd (1993 and 1990), Beezie Patton (1992), and Barney Ward (1989) also have been absent.
Which opens it up for new challengers such as Vale.
``Everybody here is tough,'' he said. ``Mafito seems to like the arena. Today may be his day.''
NOTES: A new event, the $5,000 Futures Jumper Classic for horses who will not jump in the Grand Prix, was held Saturday. Miller rode Aces High to the $1,200 first prize. She was followed by Paddy (Babington); Kit N Kaboodle (Mutch); Talisman de Boheme (Maryann Charles); River Road (Harold Chopping); P.S. Galveston (Diane Tate); Peace Pipe (Chuck Waters); and Dailey Planet (Ian Silitch).
The Rolex Grand Prix of Roanoke promises to be hotly contested this afternoon, but prior to its 2 p.m. start at Salem Civic Center, a word from the defending champion.
Kevin Babington, the Irishman who rode Tornado to the title last year, says he likes his horse's chances again.
``Tornado has felt good this year,'' he said. ``He's actually jumping better than last year.''
Tornado hit a fence and was out of the money in the Open Jumper Stake on Friday night, which many riders use as a tuneup for today's Prix. Stop the Press, another of Babington's horses, also failed to place in Friday night's competition, but Babington vowed to enter both mounts in today's $50,000 go-round.
Tornado certainly should be considered one of the top contenders, his Friday night shortcomings notwithstanding.
Another horseman who must command the attention of prospective handicappers is Aaron Vale of Rembert, S.C., who won the Open Jumper atop Mafito. The veteran steed ripped through the Fuzzy Mayo-designed course in a brisk 47.450 seconds to fend off challenges from second-place Kit N Kaboodle with Hugh Mutch aboard and third-place Catch A Wave, the defending champion in the event, ridden by Vicky Miller.
Vale also expected to enter another horse, Alfredo, in this afternoon's competition. Alfredo hit a fence and was out of the money Friday.
``He slipped Friday and again [in the Welcome Jumper Stake] Thursday,'' Vale said. ``If he can avoid slipping in the Grand Prix, he'll have a chance.''
Mutch had two horses including sixth-place Low Rider place in the Open Jumper. A third of his horses, Germanicus, was the runner-up in the Welcome Jumper Thursday.
Kimberly Prince rode Browning to the title in the Welcome Jumper and was among the first to declare for the Prix. The deadline for entering was 2 p.m. Saturday.
Maryann Charles and Talisman de Boheme have had a good week here, finishing third in the Welcome Jumper and seventh in the Open. Jimmy Torano entered three horses in the Open and placed The Riddler eighth.
Past champion riders in the Grand Prix are few. David J. Raposa, who won here in 1991 aboard Seven Wonder, is the only other one besides Babington entered. Four-time winner Rodney Jenkins is in Switzerland this week. Other past champions including Terry Rudd (1990 and 1993), Beezie Patton (1992), and Barney Ward (1989) have been absent this week.
Their absence opens it up for new challengers such as the 26-year-old Vale.
``Everybody here is tough,'' he said. ``Mafito seems to like the arena. Today may be his day.''
by CNB