Maryland Thoroughbred

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Digger takes bite of Big Apple
Repole Stable’s Digger led nearly every step and held off favored Pashito the Che in the closing strides to score by a nose in the $65,000 Gravesend Handicap on Dec. 26 at Aqueduct.

Ridden by Anna Napravnik, the 5-year-old son of Yonaguska went to the front right after the break, setting fractions of :23.84 and :47.02 with Pashito the Che in close pursuit. Opening up by daylight as the field of seven headed for home, Digger began drifting out in deep stretch but had enough left to turn back the 3-5 favorite’s late flurry, completing the six furlongs in 1:11.66 over an inner track rated fast.

“He’s always in front, so the last part of the race is always a question mark,” said trainer Bruce Brown. “He makes you sweat, no doubt about it. But he loves the inner track, even more so today with the moisture in it. I liked his chances.”

Sent off at 3-1 as part of an entry with The Roundhouse, Digger returned $8.20 for a $2 win bet as he earned $41,730. The victory was his fourth in nine starts in 2009, and extended his lifetime record to 12-7-3 from 31 starts. His earnings now total $413,278.

“He’s a pretty game horse,” said Napravnik. “He’s a good old warrior.”

The victory was the first stakes win in New York for the Maryland-bred, who as a 3-year-old won the Deputed Testamony, Northern Dancer and Jennings Handicaps at Laurel Park. Brown, who took over Digger’s training in October, said he had no immediate plans for the gelding but said he intended on keeping him in New York for the winter.

Pashito the Che, whose three-race win streak came to a halt in the race, was a length ahead of Starforaday, who in turn was followed by Laysh Laysh Laysh, The Roundhouse, Gold Trippi, and Joey P.

Digger was bred by Skeedattle Associates, a partnership of Marylanders Willie White, Lou Rehak and Bob Orndoff, who campaigned 2000 Maryland-bred Horse of the Year Gin Talking. He is the first foal from his dam, Da Choice (by Dehere), whom Skeedattle purchased for $70,000 at the 2001 Keeneland September Yearling sale. A half-sister to graded winner Millie’s Quest, Da Choice was unraced.

Digger was claimed from Skeedattle while making his second career start, for a $25,000 maiden claiming tag, in November of his 2-year-old season at Laurel.