2021 ARAC Wathba Stallions Cup Series 10 July 2021 - Pleasanton - While the heat index in the area hovered at 107 F degrees, AA Rich Whiskey under Cristobal Herrera was all business. The five-year-old mare stalked leader Pockit Rockit around the first turn until catching fire on the way home as RB Hashtag challenged for the lead but did not have quite enough room at the end. AA Rich Whiskey is by TH Richie x Salsa Dancer CS by Line Dancer and is owned and trained by Howard Rubin. RB Hashtag, under Pedro Terrero, came second running ahead of AA Pockit Rockit finishing third. The winning time was 1:13:93 for the 5 ½ furlongs on the dirt. 13 August 2021 – Golden Gate Fields - The Wathba Stallions Cup at Golden Gate Fields (Sonoma Fair Racing) brought a second win in the series by AA Rich Whiskey (TH Richie x Salsa Dancer CS, by Line Dancer) under Kevin Orozco for owner/trainer Howard Rubin. RB Hashtag sprang strongly from the gate and was only bested by the mare AA Rich Whiskey at the 1/8 pole, leaving the filly Dreamm with third. The five-year-old now has a career record of 15(2-2-3). The winning time for the 5 ½ furlongs was 1:13:33. 16 October – The third and final race of the series was held in Fresno on 16 October and cemented a very good first season for RB Hashtag (Nashwan Al Khalidiah x Hesster, by Dahess) ridden by Pedro Terrero. This was the three-year-old colt’s second win from five starts in 2021 with trainer Terri Eaton and his first win at the Wathba Stallions Cup. RB Hashtag is owned by Michael Gomez. RB Hashtag set the pace early on and had a clear lead through the stretch winning handily, although the filly Dreamm kept up a good charge until just before the end. Naughty Greylinda came third. The winning time for the 5 ½ F was 1:12: 38. Cory Soltau, General Manager of ARAC, said: “We want to thank the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival for continuing with the Wathba Stallion Cup series that has helped support our California Arabian races for so many seasons.”
- Pamela Burton
Photo credit: Vasser Photography 40 • Darley Awards Stallion Guide * Arabian Finish Line/Horsereporter • 2022
