(Note: This will be my last Triple Crown Countdown of the year. I am taking a break from posting during Christmas and will resume in early January. I will, however, post a Top Twenty within the next day or so.)
RACE RESULTS
CashCall Futurity
On Saturday at Hollywood Park, favored Comma to the Top made 5-2 look like a steal.
On Saturday at Hollywood Park, favored Comma to the Top turned in one of the most impressive performances by a juvenile this year.
On a track that has never been kind to front runners, Comma to the Top, under Corey Nakatani, decided to try and beat the bias by going to the front. Despite breaking from the far outside, Comma to the Top had enough speed to challenge High Level Jeff for the early lead. As they entered the first turn, High Level Jeff held a small advantage over the favorite. Together, they ran a blazing :23 4/5 opening quarter mile. J P's Gusto was right behind them, with Rustler Hustler and Riveting Reason not far back either. Clubhouse Ride had to steady on the first turn and was ninth early on, with only longshot Ronin Dax behind him.
As impressive as the first quarter mile was, the second was even more so. With High Level Jeff still clinging to a narrow advantage, he and Comma to the Top ran their second quarter mile in :23 3/5, with only a half-length separating them. They had run a half mile in :47 2/5 with some quality closers behind them.
But it was at this point in the race that Comma to the Top put the field away. Following three quarters of a mile in 1:11 4/5, Comma to the Top and Nakatani made their move. In the blink of an eye, they had opened up a three length lead, which turned into six as the barreled down the homestretch. J P's Gusto, who had dropped back to seventh with five-sixteenths to run, rallied from nowhere on the far outside to reach contention but fell a good two lengths short of catching the favorite. In an amazing performance, Clubhouse Ride rallied strongly enough to finish third despite the traffic issues on the first turn. Gourmet Dinner, the second choice, finished fourth after making a mild move on the far turn.
It took :7 1/5 seconds to run that last sixteenth of a mile. But the fact that Comma to the Top was able to wire the race after setting those fractions says a lot for his ability. On a side note, High Level Jeff, who attempted to stay with Comma early, faded to finish last.
Here are the full results. . .
1 Comma to the Top
2 J P's Gusto
3 Clubhouse Ride
4 Gourmet Dinner
5 Riveting Reason
6 Rustler Hustler
7 Slammer Time
8 Ronin Dax
9 Industry Leader
10 High Level Jeff
Here were my picks. . .
1 Comma to the Top
2 J P's Gusto
3 Industry Leader
4 Clubhouse Ride
5 Gourmet Dinner
6 Riveting Reasons
7 Rustler Hustler
8 Slammer Time
9 High Level Jeff
10 Ronin Dax
Except for Industry Leader, I wasn't too far off!
Other Race Results
Things went as expected in the Letellier Memorial Stakes for two-year-old fillies at Fair Grounds. In the six furlong event, favored Fastation made a bold run from eight lengths back to score by three and a half lengths in 1:11.19. Fiscal Policy, the 5-1 fourth choice, also rallied strongly but was no match for the winner. Second choice Street Storm came from ten lengths back after the first quarter mile to finish third, although soundly beaten. Dimanche Pouliche never threatened while coming from last to snatch fourth. Big Sweets opened up a four length lead in the early stages of the race but could not sustain it, ending up fifth. Unbridled Praise, at 3-1 chased the pace but tired to finish last.
The winner, trained by Steven Asmussen, has now won five consecutive races. She was ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan. I would not be surprised to see her traveling along the Kentucky Oaks trail next spring. Perhaps the Silverbulletday Stakes is next on her agenda.
In the Sugar Bowl Stakes, also a six furlong race for juveniles, there was a very mild upset. Joe Hollywood, the favorite at .90-1, was sent right to the lead in the four horse race and rattled off fractions of :22 1/5 and :46 flat while being pressed by Hydro Power. Archarcharch, at even money, was racing in third with B G Suavecito trailing the field.
As they turned for home, Archarcharch made his bid for the lead. He dueled with Joe Hollywood down the stretch and it appeared for a moment like Joe Hollywood might just hold him off. However, Archarcharch found something extra late and drew off to a 1 3/4 score, completing the six furlongs in 1:10 2/5. Joe Hollywood finished a clear second over B G Suavecito, with Hydro Power trailing the field.
It's rather rare to see a horse break his maiden in a stakes race, but that is what Archarcharch did. He had finished second in his only start prior to the Sugar Bowl and improved a great deal second time out. It will be interesting to see how good he is going two turns. If he can prove more effective at longer distances, he could be a legitimate Derby colt.
Archarcharch is trained by William Fires and was ridden by Jon Court.
As I stated above, I will resume posting in January. Until then, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
-Keelerman
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