American Fighter


American Fighter is a consistent and versatile horse.  He's won at three different tracks: Hialeah, Churchill and  Hawthorne.  American Fighter has also won at distances between 6.5f and 8.0 furlongs.  Along the way he's average just under 50% ITM finishes and has earned a check in over 65% of his starts.  American Fighter carries an average earning of almost $2,500 per race! American Fighter is at Sam Houston Race Park where he's in training with Sam David.  American Fighter will make his first start for VOP in late November or early December in a non-winners of one allowance on the dirt.


Past Performance Report Prior to VOP Races

American Fighter Pedigree



Images and descriptions of American Fighter and his VOP races.

Photo1:


 


 


VOP 2000 Campaign

1st VOP Race - 12/03/00

10th HOU December 03, 2000 Starters Allowance ($8,800) 3 yo's & up - 1 1/16m; (Turf)

Dueled in between horses for almost a mile before fading to 9th.  The pace was honest and the horses were spread out over a dozen lengths on the backstretch. This was a very good effort by AF.  The field was tough and the race went much faster than the open $25K and N1X on Friday.

2nd VOP Race - 12/23/00   Race PP's (pdf) Race Video 5KB WMV format

9th HOU December 23, 2000 1 Mile 70 Yards. Allowance. Purse $14,000 . (PLUS UP TO $1,120 FROM ATBOIA) FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON A RACE OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING, STARTER, OR TRIAL OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. Three Year Olds 120 lbs., Older 122 lbs. Non-winners of a race other than claiminga t a mile or over since October 23 allowed, 3 lbs. Such a race since September 23, 6 lbs.

Bumped at start but rated good until finial turn and folded up coming in next to last. Jock reported AF packed it in after getting dirt kick up in his face and he also clipped his inside hock again. 


VOP 2001 Campaign

3rd VOP Race - 01/05/01   Race PP's (pdf)  

8th HOU January 05, 2001 6.5 Furlongs. Allowance. Purse $13,500. (PLUS UP TO $1,080 FROM ATBOIA)FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON A RACE OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING, STARTER, OR TRIAL OR WHICH NEVER WON TWO RACES. Weight 122 lbs. Non-winners of a race other than claiming since November 5 allowed,3 lbs. Such a race since October 5, 5 lbs. Post Time: 10:54/( 9:54)/ 8:54/ 7:54

Tough race for AF.  Fighter bumped the 9 coming out of the gate and kicked himself on the back of the right front ankle. There was a good deal of blood on his leg and the vet were working at sedating AF so they could put some stitches in his leg. He ended up with a two inch wide cut at the back of the right front ankle which took five stitches to close.  

4th VOP Race - 02/15/01   Race PP's (pdf)

9th HOU February 15, 2001 7 Furlongs (1:21) Clm 16000(16 -14)N4L. Purse $7,000 (PLUS UP TO $560 FROM ATBOIA) FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON FOUR RACES. Weight 123 lbs. Non-winners of two races since December 15 allowed, 3 lbs. A race since then, 5 lbs. CLAIMING PRICE $16,000, if for $14,000, allowed 2 lbs.

Another tough race AF. 7th, beaten about 14 lengths. AF did not break all that well and did brush the 6. Then after Gondron seemed to have AF in stride and heading for an opening, the 2nd tier of four horses closed in together and left AF blocked with nowhere to go. Nearing the turn, Gondron had him on the rail but again seemed to have no room to move. Even coming down the stretch, well out of it by then, it looked like AF might pass a couple of horses and again he got brushed or slightly checked.

5th VOP Race - 02/23/01   Race PP's (.pdf) Finish Line Video (.mov)

 Finish Line Win Picture

6 HOU February 23, 2001 1 MILE 70 YARDS (1:40) CLAIMING. Purse $6,400 (PLUS UP TO $512 FROM ATBOIA) FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD. Weight 123 lbs. Non-winners of two races at a mile or over since December 23 allowed, 3 lbs. One such race since then, 5 lbs. CLAIMING PRICE $7,500, if for $7,000, allowed 2 lbs. (Races for $5,000 or less not considered).

AF broke well and once he was in stride there wasn't anyone that wanted to go with him.  Ted let AF run at whatever pace he wanted and seeing he was up by daylight with 3f to go, Ted wrapped up and and let AF coast. 

Time 1:44.79; Off at 9:06
Clear Track: Fast
4 American Fighter T. Gondron 19.60 6.60 5.00
6 Omarfairleygreen J. Jacinto 4.40 3.40 
5 Thunder's Cry P. Nolan 4.80
Exacta(4-6): 79.60 Quinella (4-6): 35.60 Trifecta (4-6-5): 617.20

6th VOP Race - 03/09/01   Race PP's (.pdf) Full Race Video (.wmv - not good quality) Finish Line Video (.mov)

1 1/16 Miles. Allowance. Purse $13,400 . (PLUS UP TO $1,072 FROM ATBOIA) FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON A RACE OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING, STARTER, OR TRIAL OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. Weight 123 lbs. Non-winners of a race other than claiming at a mile or over since January 9 allowed, 3 lbs. Such a race since December 9, 5 lbs. Post Time: 10:02/( 9:02)/ 8:02/ 7:02

Another superb effort by Rocky. He set the pace and was challenged by the 6. He held on well with only the 4 going by to win by 3 lengths. Most importantly he held off the 3 by a nose for 2nd.

7th VOP Race - 03/24/01

One Mile and One-Sixteenth, Purse $13,400, Allowance, 4 YO's & UP

Good effort from Fighter, got into a useless speed duel at the start and the race was over for us at the quarter--22.3  and a 47 half spelled the end.
American Fighter has been moved to Dallas for the Lone Star meet

8th VOP Race - 04/22/01 Race PP's (.pdf)

1 MILE CLAIMING. Purse $9,000 (PLUS UP TO $900 FROM ATBOIA)FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD. Weight 122 lbs. Non-winners of a race at a mile or over since March 22 allowed, 2 lbs. Such a race since February 22, 4 lbs. CLAIMING PRICE $7,500, for each $250 to $7,000 1 lbs. (Races for $5,000 or less not considered in allowances).

Was wide most of the way and never got the front---a Bad sign for this horse.  Obviously we were about 5-6 wide all through the first turn. On the backstretch, we were still about 3 or so out from the rail although I thought we were positioned well just off the front runners. 

9th VOP Race - 05/20/01 Race PP's (.pdf)

1 Mile  Purse $9,000 (PLUS UP TO $900 FROM ATBOIA)FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD. Weigh 122 lbs. Non-winners of a race at a mile or over since April 20 allowed, 2 lbs. Such a race since March 20, 4 lbs. CLAIMING PRICE $7,500, for each $250 to $7,000 1 lbs. (Races for $5,000 or less not considered in allowances).

AF stumbled a bit at the start and then hurried himself to stay at the front of the pack going into the first turn.  Also looked like he got bumped some shortly after the start.  He was about 3 wide going into the first turn and ended up in 2nd or 3rd most of the back stretch.  The half went in 47, probably a tad too fast for him. Gondron had him over to the rail for part of the back stretch and then sent him back out 2-3 wide for the second turn. He was still in contention right around the 6 furlong mark, but, one could tell he was running out of gas. When the #2 horse went by him, he shut down, and I think Gondron tried to keep him up for a small check, but, AF wasn't cooperating.  Coasted in for 6th out of 7, I think.

10th VOP Race - 05/24/01 Race PP's (.pdf)

1 1/16 Mile Purse $7,500 (PLUS UP TO $750 FROM ATBOIA)FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD. Weight 122 lbs. Non-winners of a race at a mile or over since April 24 allowed, 3 lbs. Such a race since March 24, 6 lbs. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000.

AF launched from the gate and got the early lead over the 3 and the 4. Had the rail and the lead, beat off the cheap speed. Fighter relaxed a bit on the back stretch even with horses within 1/2 to 1 length of him.  AF kept the lead throughout the turn and put away the 3 and 4 and looked like he might hold on for the win photo but got nipped at the wire by the 6.  It really was an exciting race. The 6 was flying down the stretch  about 5 wide. 

6 Fast N Away Faul J H 116 17.60 7.60 4.80
1 American Fighter Gonzalez C V 116 5.80 4.00
7 Shebas Stride Simington D E 116 3.40
Finish Time: 146.36
Also ran:Campuzotti, Rubber Biscuit, Medio Creek, Conquest and Texas Wave.
Winning Trainer: Davidson M Brent - Owner: Davidson Wanda
$2 Exacta 6-1 Paid $89.40
$2 Quinella 1-6 Paid $41.80
$2 Trifecta 6-1-7 Paid $528.80
$2 Superfecta 6-1-7-3 Paid $2,737.20
$2 Daily Double (1-6) Paid $131.00
Daily Double Pool $13,848

11th VOP Race - 06/16/01 Race PP's (.pdf) - CLAIMED

1 1/16 Mile Purse $7,500 (PLUS UP TO $750 FROM ATBOIA)FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD. Weight 120 lbs. Non-winners of a race at a mile or over since May 16 allowed, 2 lbs. Such a race since April 16, 4 lbs. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000.

American Fighter dualed with #4 for early lead, saving ground on the inside but no ralley. Held on for 3rd and was Claimed.

VOP's best wishes and farewell to American Fighter and the new owners.

Lone Star - June 16th, 2001 - Race 4
Claiming - For Thoroughbred Four Year Old and Upwards One And One Sixteenth
Miles on the Dirt
Purse: $7,500
Value of Race: $7,500 1st $4,500, 2nd $1,500, 3rd $825, 4th $450, 5th $225
Weather: Clear   Track: Fast    
Off at: 2:57     Start: Good for all

 
Pgm HorseName (Jockey) Wgt M/E PP SP 1/4 1/2 3/4 Str Fin Odds
6 Ramsley (Lovelace, A.K.) 116 L b 6 6 6-6 5-Head 5-4 3-1/2
1-1 1/2 1.20*
3 Fast N Away (Faul, J.H.) 120 L bf 3 1 5-1 1/2 6-3
3-Head 2-1 2-3 1/2 4.80
5 American Fighter (Gonzalez, C.) 116 L b 5 3 1-Head 1-Head 1-2
1-1/2 3-6 3/4 2.20
4 Exhilarator (Lanerie, C.J.) 116 L b 4 2 2-5 2-8 2-8
4-4 4-1 1/4 7.00
8 Fire in His Eyes (Jimenez, A.) 116 L bf 8 5 4-4 3-1 4-1/2
5-3 1/2 5-1 3/4 25.30
1 Matters Not (Bronstad, C.) 120 L 1 8 7-1/2 7-6 7-8 6-1/2
6-1 1/2 17.50
7 Halo of Roses (Collier, T.) 118 L 7 4 3-Head 4-1 6-1
7-10 7-22 3/4 16.70
2 Millennium Prince (Owens, A.) 111 L b 2 7 8 8 8 8 8 50.80

Fractional Times:     23.25, 46.53, 1:11.37, 1:37.97, 1:44.50

Winner: Ramsley - Bay Gelding, January 21st, 1993
Bred by Audley Farm Inc. in VA
Pedigree: Allen's Prospect - Boat Hook, by Sauce Boat
2 claimed horses: Fast N Away:
      New Owner = D. Lynn Ferrell ;   New Trainer = Jory Ferrell
American Fighter:
      New Owner = Jim E. Palmer ;   New Trainer = Jim E. Palmer

Claiming Prices: $5,000 (All horses)
Pgm Horse Win Place Show
6 Ramsley 4.40 2.80 2.20
3 Fast N Away   4.00 2.40
5 American Fighter     2.40
Wager Type Winning Numbers Payoff Pool Carryover
$2 Pick 3 5/7-3-6         (3 correct)  151.00 5,844  
$2 Exacta 6-3      17.40 54,591  
$2 Quinella 3-6      9.80 6,227  
$2 Superfecta 6-3-5-4      63.00 20,165  
$2 Trifecta 6-3-5      34.00 59,127  

Pgm Comment
6 Ramsley - unhurried, moved up outside 2nd tn, late bid, clear late
3 Fast N Away - broke sharp, eased back, inside 2nd tn, turn, bid, drifted
out
5 American Fighter - vied for early lead, saved ground, lacked a late rally
4 Exhilarator - dueled for early lead, forward until late, finished early
8 Fire in His Eyes - in middle, outside first turn, even effort
1 Matters Not - always raced near back, showed little, wide home stretch
7 Halo of Roses - within contention, dropped back
2 Millennium Prince - void of early speed, trailed, lost contact with field
 
Owners: 6--Timothy C. Tolin, 3--Wanda Davidson, 5--Virtual Owner Partnership
XX, 4--Jim Bausch, 8--Miguel Chavez, 1--Jody Ervin, 7--Eugene Welch,
2--Richard J. Bird
Trainers: 6-Jerry K. Hardin, 3-Milo Brent Davidson, 5-Sam B. David, Jr.,
4-Jim Bausch, 8-Don R. Poteet, 1-Jody Ervin, 7-C. Eugene Welch, 2-Richard J.
Bird


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