Mahmoud Fustok, 70, owner of Buckram Oak Farm, was killed Wednesday in Pompano Beach, Fla., when he was struck by SUV that went out of control when driver suffered diabetic shock.
Native of Lebanon, Fustok came to U.S. as college student in 1950s and had diplomatic status as member of government of Saudi Arabia, where he had real-estate and oil holdings. Among Buckram Oak’s major winners were Silver Train, Silver Wagon, Silver Hawk, Siberian Express, Anifa and Eurosilver.
SECOND RACE: Jersey Gia becomes monster racing over IDT. Here, at 3-5 under Ramon Dominguez, took command turning for home, drew off to notch her fourth win from four starts at meet.
THIRD RACE: What on earth was double-bug apprentice David Lopez trying to do with kamikaze ride aboard Obi Wan? After steadying in traffic clubhouse turn, Obi Wan tucked in behind three-way pace duel between Em Vee Pea, Thundering Success, coupled at 9-5 as Rick Dutrow entry, and 8-5 favorite Market Turbulence. Obi Wan turned for home with room along rail top of stretch, but hole quickly closed as Thundering Success, apprentice Kyle Kaenel up, drifted back to fence, battling down stretch with Kris’s Affair under Dominguez. Still, with nowhere to run, Lopez kept whipping and driving. Result: Obi Wan ran right up Thundering Success’ butt, almost clipped heels, propped, then his shoulder hit rail, catapulting Lopez over fence. He hit hard, was taken by ambulance to North Shore Hospital for X-rays with possible broken ribs.
Spill overshadowed excellent effort by Thundering Success to break maiden in seventh start, first time dropped in for 50G tag. After dueling down backside, he put away Market Turbulence top of stretch, then had to dig down to come on again as Kris’s Affair, after circling field with bold four-wide move around far turn, surged to lead mid-stretch but could not hold advantage. Market Turbulence, after moving up to press pace three-wide down backside, faded at crunch time, settled for third; Rick Violette colt is turning into money-burner, beaten favorite three straight starts.
EIGHTH RACE: With Probability, 5-year-old from Mark Hennig barn, has history of turning in big efforts next race after finishing up track. For example, was beaten 28 lengths June 2004, lost next start by nose; was beaten 14 lengths Aug. 2004, won next out by five. Here, he was making first start since Dec. 8, when last of seven, beaten 14 lengths; off at 28-1, he went to front under Norberto Arroyo Jr., was rated along in front chased by 3-2 favorite Jungle Fighter, began to ease clear around far turn, then quickly opened up when asked for run top of stretch, won as much best.
PICK SIX
Winning numbers: 3-6-3-5-3-1
No winners
2 consolation (5 of 6) winners each paid $4,642
Carryover: $27,856.53