In a profanity-laced interview, Otsego Farms owner Jim Webber blasted jockey Enrique Garcia saying, "there's no goddam way he'll ever ride for us again", after a very disappointing run by the 3yo filly Starfire this past weekend.
Starfire went off at 5-1 as one of nine entries in the 7 furlong Furious Stakes and finished 3rd. A seemingly acceptable finish to most observers.
What infuriated Webber was the apparent lack of effort displayed by the filly. "I'm pissed. I'm not gonna lie", he fumed after the race. "Garcia knows that Starfire likes to loaf down the stretch. He was told in no uncertain terms to use the whip, and he didn't do it."
Starfire, as her sire Nightwing did before her, started slowly and trailed the field for the first 3 furlongs, falling behind by as far as 13 lengths.
With 2 furlongs to go, cruising comfortably and working hard, she had moved up to 5th and was gaining ground. At that point her effort level dropped and she breezed in to the wire, finishing 3rd only because Wahoo Orange and Purple Heart both faded badly.
Webber continued, "I told Enrique to go to the stick at the finish. I don't know what he was thinking. He's through at Otsego Farms".
"This filly has a ton of talent. She's just a little lazy. I'll get a jockey in here who can follow directions", promised Webber.
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