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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend July 5, 2005 Royal Suspect, below, with jockey Victor Miranda, pulls away from Andys My Dash, with jockey Nikeela Black, during the final stretch of the Firecracker Futurity on Monday. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Going out a winner Royal Suspect scores a triumphant win for trainer Mark Garrison in the $35,750 Firecracker Futurity By FRANK SILOW Mail Tribune GRANTS PASS — Mark Garrison finally found the winning formula for the Firecracker Futurity — have three horses in the finals. Garnering a victory in the rich quarter horse race had eluded the Grants Pass-area trainer since the futurity’s inception in 1991. But Garrison’s Royal Suspect scored a triumphant win in the $35,750 Firecracker at Grants Pass Downs Monday. The victory was especially sweet for Garrison since it might be his last attempt. With the close of the GP Downs season Monday, Garrison is moving his training operation from his Wilderville ranch to eastern Oklahoma. Advertisement The move is a life-changing one for Garrison, 39, who has resided in Southern Oregon since he was 9-years-old. Garrison has always been around horse racing because of his parents involvement in the sport. He loped horses at home as a youngster, got his training license at 17 and has been the leading trainer at the GP Downs meet numerous times. "It was probably my last shot at this race," said a relaxed Garrison following the victory. "It feels good to win a big one in your home town." Royal Suspect, ridden by Victor Miranda, broke well from the gate, then began veering in the early part of the race. But the big, dark-brown colt found another gear in the final 50 yards and pulled away from Andys My Dash with 20-year-old Nikeela Black in the saddle. "He was running green and not paying attention on the first 300 yards," said Miranda, who came up from Northern California to ride Royal Suspect in the futurity. "He didn’t want to set down and run. I just sat on him and kept him together and he kicked it in." Royal Suspect, the 9-5 betting favorite as a coupled entry with the fastest qualifier Miles of Knud Chicks, posted a time of 17.58 seconds for the 350-yard dash. It was the fourth fastest time in the 14-year futurity history. Miranda, 36, was a regular rider at GP Downs in the late 1980s, but hasn’t been back for a while. Now he primarily rides at Bay Meadows and Golden Gate Fields in the San Francisco area and on the summer California fair circuit. "Right after the trials Mark (Garrison) called me and said ‘I have a horse that will fit you,’" said Miranda. "I trust Mark. He’s a good horseman." Royal Suspect qualified for the Firecracker with the seventh fastest time out of the eight horse field. He reversed the tables on Andys My Dash, who beat Royal Suspect by ¾ -length in one of four futurity trials on June 18, for his first career victory. "(Royal Suspect) has always had speed out of the gate," said Garrison, "but today he found speed on the other end of it. He really showed up today and ran big." Royal Suspect demonstrated some potential with a fourth-place finish, despite a difficult trip, in the Pot of Gold Futurity this spring. Royal Suspect is owned by Alex and Virginia Austin of Grants Pass, who purchased the colt for $14,000 in Oklahoma this fall. The $14,300 winner’s share of the purse pushed Royal Suspect’s earnings to almost $18,000. "He’s a well-bred colt," said Virginia Austin, who pointed out his father Ausual Suspect won the All-American Futurity. "I really didn’t expect him to fire the way he did today." In fact, Garrison and Virginia Austin thought their top chance to win the Firecracker was with Miles of Knud Chicks. But the inside post position proved too difficult to overcome. Miles of Knud Chicks finished a disappointing last and Garrison’s other entry — Streakin County — was seventh. "The little filly (Miles of Knud Chicks) has been my fastest," said Garrison. "But the one hole did her in. She had to stand in the gate too long. And then she got crowded and intimidated on the track." Like Garrison, trainer Scott Raley had three horses in the field. Raley’s horses — Andys My Dash and Two Dash to Fame — finished second and third, respectively. The loss ended Portland Meadows Futurity winner To Dash to Fame’s chance at the $100,00 bonus going to the owner of a horse that wins the Oregon triple crown. The Firecracker and the Northwest Futurity in the fall complete the series. Raley, whose Jets Flame won the 2000 futurity, took the loss in stride. "I’m never disappointed with my 2-year-olds," said Raley. "I didn’t want to get out-run, but I got out-run." Garrison’s demeanor following the race was both that of happiness and relief. "I’ve been chasing this one for quite a few years," said Garrison. "I guess I was lucky enough to get enough in it to finally win." 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