Cabrera, Rumpole follow plan, claim Jim’s Orbit Stakes

Trainer Bob Young and jockey David Cabrera devised a plan for Saturday night’s Jim’s Orbit Stakes, and their 3-year-old gelding, Rumpole, followed it to the letter.

Rumpole burst from the Sam Houston Race Park starting gate in the phalanx of speediest starters. Unlike the others, he kept going and hauled Cabrera to a surprisingly easy win.

“It went just like Mr. Bob and I talked about before the race,” said Cabrera. “We got a clean break. That was good because after that, I could let my horse relax and not fight to go for the lead. I knew he had a big race in him.” Riding rail to victory

In the other $65,000 stakes race, the Two Altazano, jockey Deshaun Parker made a perilous advance in the homestretch to guide Archer City to a decisive win.

Near the finish of a race, trying to guide a horse along the rail is high risk. But Parker had no choice.

“Slipping through next to the rail was the only waywe could win,” he said. “There was no way to go outside and get around everybody.

“I’ve tried to slip though on the rail many times on other horses. Sometimes they drag you right up to the opening. Then they won’t go through.

“Archer City dragged me right up to the opening. Then she charged right through. She gave me a big effort.”

Bret Calhoun-trained Archer City has now won three of six starts. Parker, too, has a high win percentage, winning about a quarter of his SHRP races.

Another Calhoun trainee, Kat’s Infatuation, finished behind favored Archer City.

Too Much to Bear ran third.

Archer City and Rumpole each won a $39,000 share of the $65,000 purses.

“Sometimes you get lucky,” Young said of the Jim’s Orbit victory. “Rumpole is a good gate horse. He gets away well.” It all works out

The Fletcher Properties-owned runner has started on or near the lead in all four career starts.

“When David and I talked, we figured that with a clean break and a good trip, we had a great chance,” Young said. “Neither of those two is a sure thing, but this time, it turned out the way we wanted.”

After such a comfortable win, Young said he hopes to run Rumpole again near the March close of SHRP’s thoroughbred season.

An unexpected challenger, Comanche Hopper, zipped out early with Rumpole. After running together for more than half a mile, Rumpole pulled away.

Another outsider, Contrarytoordinary, ridden by Ted Gondron, came charging late for second place at 23-1 odds. But by then, Cabrera’s horse held a 6-length lead.

Imma Wil Bling ran third.

The $2 exacta with Rumpole and Contrarytoordinary paid $117.60.