COLUMBUS, N.C.--Jack Fisher won two of the four hurdle races, including the featured $30,000 Ratings Handicap, while a former assistant, Sandra Webb, won the other two at the Tryon Block House Races on April 15.

Gordon's Jet winning under Jamie Bargery at Tryon (Photo by Tod Marks)Riverdee Stable's Gordon's Jet (Ire), ridden by Jamie Bargery, won the $30,000 Ratings Handicap Hurdle by 3 1/2 lengths over Animal Kingston, trained by Neil Morris, and Fisher also saddled the third placed Potus.

This was Gordon's Joet's first race in this country after racing over hurdles in England, where he was a handicap winner.

"I got him last fall," said Fisher, "Jamie gave him a beautiful ride."

Gordon's Jet ran second to Tease and Squeeze throughout most of the race, moved into the lead before the last fence and led through the stretch. 

"We'll try the stakes at the Gold Cup next," said Fisher.

Merriebelle Stable's Beat Le Bon, ridden by Graham Watters, won the $30,000 Maiden Hurdle by 30 3/4 lengths, and, despite dominating the race, had the fastest time of the four hurdle races, 4:42 2/5, 3 second's faster than Gordon Jet's time of 3:44 2/5.

This was Beat Le Bon's third run over fences after running twice on the flat, in a stakes and an allowance race, in this country last year after being imported from England, where the 7-year-old gelding had run numerous times in stakes and handicaps with four wins,  five seconds and two thirds.

"We'll wait for Saratoga with him,"said Fisher.

 

SANDRA WEBB saddled the other two hurdle winners at Tryon.

Northwoods Stable's Whisky Warrior, ridden by Barry Foley, won the $20,000 Maiden Claiming Hurdle by 1 1/4 lengths over Tiger to Remember, trained by Kate Dalton.

This was Whisky Warrior's first race over fences after running on the flat in maiden claiming races, and he went to the lead over the last fence for the win.

Webb also saddled Riverdee Stable's Seizing the Dream to win the $20,000 Conditioned Claiming Hurdle by 4 3/4 lengths over Top Brass, trained by Leslie Young.

Seizing the Dream's first race for Webb was last October, and he won a maiden race in his second run over fences, while winning again at Tryon in this, his third run over fences.

"She had a fantastic day," said Fisher of his former assistance. "The horses looked fantastic, too. That's great. She's doing it right."

Dante's Fire, trained by Morris, won the Training Flat race by a nose over L'Or des Roses, trained by Ted Thompson.

Fisher is now tied for second with Ricky Hendriks in Trainer, Races Won, with three wins apiece, while Young leads with seven wins.