ELLOREE — After returning to the finish line with his horse Reckinso, Cody Durr was greeted with hugs by family and friends. Teardrops fell from the eyes of Durr and his loved ones as they celebrated their victory in the Elloree Cup on Saturday.

“I’ve worked the horse three times preparing him for it,” Durr said. “He worked phenomenally every time. I knew I had a shot. We were just wondering if he’d like the deep track or not and he just ate it up.”

Reckinso quickly broke out of the starting gate and sped down the half-mile track, leaving his four adversaries behind. The 3-year-old thoroughbred finished virtually uncontested in 49 seconds to clinch the Cup.

“It’s extremely special,” Durr said as he tried to fight off another barrage of tears. “I can’t describe it right now.”

Durr, who stopped riding two years ago and doubts he’ll race again after Saturday’s sentimental win, dedicated the race to his father who passed away 13 years ago after contracting a rare bacterial infection while cleaning out a horse barn.

Prior to the Elloree Cup, the day belonged to Tim Stafford. While riding Cousin Mattie Cross, the Georgia native opened the Elloree Trials by winning the first race of the day by a nose, fending off Jamie Parrott and his horse, Juicy Dream for Cash. Stafford would go on to win three more races throughout the day.

“Good horses make good riders,” Stafford said after his final win, “and I’m just fortunate to have good horses. I just do my job. I try not to hinder them and keep them straight and get down the race track on top.”

In total, Stafford placed in nine of the 11 races he competed in.

2009 Elloree

Trials results

Race One

(Quarterhorses, 2-year-olds, Fillies, 250 Yards)

1. Cousin Mattie Cross: Lash Atkinson, Owner; Jack Murray, Trainer

2. Juicy Dream for Cash: Terry Alston, Owner; Charles Griffin, Trainer

3. Fast Megan: Kris Locklear, Owner; James Locklear, Trainer

Race Two

(Quarterhorses, 2-year-olds Colts, 250 Yards)

1. Arrow Stone Head: Adam Oxendine, Owner & Trainer

2. He’s My Homerun: Sonia Glover, Owner; Leneau Nobles, Trainer

3.Little Bill: Barry McDonald, Owner; Shorty Stephens, Trainer

Race Three

(Thoroughbreds, 2-year-olds, 3/8 Mile)

1. Bejin: Carl Durr, Owner & Trainer

2. Cozy Kitten: Romans Racing Stables, Owner; Goree Smith, Trainer

3. Henry Berry Lowery: Larry Lowery, Owner; James Lowery, Trainer

Race Four

(Quarterhorses, 3-year-olds, Open, 350 Yards)

1. Straight Connection: Eddie Scott, Owner; Merideth Keller, Trainer

2. Bye Bye Prince: Mack Bullard, Owner; James D. Locklear, Trainer

3. Warrior Devin: C.B. Stables, Owner; James Hunt, Trainer

Race Five

(Quarterhorses, 3-year-olds & up, Open, 550 Yards)

1. Sure is Faster: Tommy Oxendine, Owner; James Locklear, Trainer

2. J.L.’s Flying Dash: Chester Light, Owner; Shorty Stevens, Trainer

3. All Mitey He’s All: Nobles Racing, Owner; Leneau Nobles, Trainer

Race Six

(Thoroughbreds, 3-year-olds & up, Maidens, 1/2 Mile)

1. He’s The King: Donald Baker, Owner; Robbie Shuler, Trainer

2. Northern Pike: Carl Durr, Owner & Trainer

3. Shook: John Johnson, Owner; George Barr, Trainer

Race Seven

(Quarterhorses, 3-year-olds, Open, 350 Yards)

1. Apollo Two Socks: Adam Oxendine, Owner & Trainer

2. Roc Shoks Pie: Bryan Bell, Owner; James Locklear, Trainer

3. Pepper and Salt: Joe McMillan, Owner; Leneau Nobles, Trainer

Race Eight

(Quarterhorses, 3-year-olds & up, 79 & Under, 350 Yards)

1. Shakey’s Cross: John Durrence, Owner; Jack Murray, Trainer

2. Cool Springs Cassanova: Nobles Racing, Owner; Leneau Nobles, Trainer

3. J.D. Count the Dreal: Jeffery Felder, Owner & Trainer

Race Nine

(Thoroughbreds, 4-year-olds & up, Open, 1/2 Mile)

1. Brown & Dallet: Alton Brown, Owner; Dean Keller, Trainer

2. Patrick: Bo and Scott Easton, Owners; Bo Eason, Trainer

3. Top Brass: Nobles Racing, Owner; Leneau Nobles, Trainer

Race Ten

(Quarterhorses, 3-year-old & up, 89 & Under, 350 Yards)

1. Dance for Holme: David Fulton & The McClarys, Owners; James McClary, Trainer

2. Da Blood Speaks: Kendrick Wright, Owner; D.W. Shuler, Trainer

3. For G’s: Bo and Scott Easton, Owners; Bo Eason, Trainer

Race Eleven

Elloree Cup

(Thoroughbreds, 3-year-olds, 1/2 Mile)

1. Reckinso: Webb Carroll, Owner & Trainer

2. Sneaky Snake: Marian Cuttino, Owner; Lyn Cuttino, Trainer

3. Carolina Cornbread: Ernie Lowery, Owner & Trainer

T&D Sports Writer Emery Glover can be reached by e-mail at eglover@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5532. Check out his blog, Cover 2, at www.thetandd.com.

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