Hattaash give connections something to cheer about with Washington Park third

Saturday's exciting stretch drive in the Grade 3 Washington Park Handicap was a meaningful one for those involved with

third-place finisher Hattaash, who closed resolutely to fall just a half-length

short to Grade 2 victor Willcox Inn and another local longshot

Gallant Eagle.

Owned by Kenneth Fishbein, Hattaash was dismissed at 12-1 by the

betting public, despite impressively winning at the Washington Park course and distance two starts back.

Off since finishing fourth in an allowance behind three

stakes winners on June 30, Hattaash ran like a fresh horse, closing with vigor

under apprentice Emmanuel Esquivel.

"He'd been off for two months. We couldn't

find a place to stick him. We kept going after races that wouldn't go for one

reason or another," trainer Cheryl Winebaugh explained. "Esquivel rode him

perfectly. It could not have been better. We definitely were excited."

Having something about which to be happy and excited is

welcome for the Winebaugh barn. On June 21, about one week prior to Hattaash

finishing fourth in that salty allowance, Hattaash's longtime trainer Chrlie

Bettis died of natural causes.