As promising as last weekend's races looked on paper, they became even more promising after they were run. Many horses turned in terrific performances which definitely helped make the Triple Crown Trail just a little bit clearer.
Last week's feature race, the Sham Stakes (gr. III) at Santa Anita, was one of the races in which a truly remarkable effort was turned in. I shall recap that race first.
FEATURE RACE RECAP ---- The Sham Stakes (gr. III)
The favorite in this mile and a sixteenth event was Tapizar, who had broken his maiden by over ten lengths in November. He was making his first start since then and was sent off at 1.10-1.
Uncle Sam was the second choice, based off of sharp maiden victory on December 27th at Santa Anita. Clubhouse Ride and Anthony's Cross were also well bet, with Pride of Silver the longshot at 15.30-1.
As expected, Tapizar and Uncle Sam broke well and both raced to the front, opening up a 3 1/2 length lead on the remainder of the field through a quick opening quarter mile in :22 3/5 over the speed-favoring Santa Anita main track. Anthony's Cross was racing in third, followed by Clubhouse Ride and Pride of Silver.
They continued in that order through a half mile in :45 1/5. However, Uncle Sam was no longer near the front, having backed off and allowed Tapizar to claim an unchallenged two-length lead. On the other hand, Uncle Sam was still 3 1/2 lengths ahead of Anthony's Cross, who had moved to two lengths clear of Clubhouse Ride.
It quickly became obvious that Tapizar was not going to stop any time soon. He ran three quarters of a mile in 1:08 4/5 while still maintaining a two-length advantage. However, Clubhouse Ride was rallying strongly along the rail and had taken over second place. It looked like a duel for the lead was in the mix as Clubhouse Ride swung to the outside and set his sights on the runaway leader.
But Tapizar still had more run. He quickly dismissed the challenge from Clubhouse Ride and drew away once more, passing the eighth pole in 1:33 3/5 while two lengths in front, before hitting the finish line 4 1/4 lengths in front of his game rival in 1:40 1/5. Clubhouse Ride was much the best of the rest, finishing five lengths in front of Anthony's Cross, who finished third by a half-length over Uncle Sam. Pride of Silver trailed the field, beaten slightly more than twelve lengths by the winner.
Although the impressive final time and fractions must be taken with a grain of salt due to the extremely fast nature of the Santa Anita main track, it must also be noted that Tapizar ran a faster mile and a sixteenth than the older Indian Firewater did in the San Fernando Stakes (gr. II) later that afternoon. It was also faster than Always a Princess ran when defeating Blind Luck in the El Encino Stakes the following day.
So here are the results. . .
1 Tapizar
2 Clubhouse Ride
3 Anthony's Cross
4 Uncle Sam
5 Pride of Silver
. . . and here were my picks.
1 Tapizar
2 Uncle Sam
3 Anthony's Cross
4 Clubhouse Ride
5 Pride of Silver
As you may have noticed, Tapizar has moved up to seventh on my latest Keelerman's Top Twenty. I am really excited about this colt's future and believe he is a very high-class horse. At this point, he should be the favorite for the Santa Anita Derby in April.
OTHER RACE RESULTS
One race which I shall not be discussing during this post is the allowance optional claiming race in which Alternation defeated Elite Alex. I shall not discuss it because I have already thoroughly recapped it during a previous post. However, I shall list the complete order of finish here. . .
1 Alternation
2 Elite Alex
3 Commander
4 Casperzapper
5 Destinare
6 Great Exhuma
7 Night Hunt
Now I shall recap the remainder of last week's races, in no particular order.
The Jean Lafitte Stakes at Delta Downs turned in the expected exacta. The two favorites were Decisive Moment and Su Casa G Casa. The former had finished second in the $1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes, while the latter had previously won the Kip Deville Stakes at Remington Park. Both had shown an interest in the lead in the past and they would be the pacesetters once again.
Decisive Moment broke quickest and was rushed to an early one-length lead of Su Casa G Casa. The opening quarter mile was run in a sharp :22 2/5. Trubs and Expecting Cash, the third and fourth choices respectively, were racing in third and fourth. The longshots---One Star Freedom, and Artic Sea, and Would You---were racing in that order at the back of the pack.
Despite the quick opening quarter mile, the half-mile was run in only :47 2/5. The jockeys aboard Decisive Moment and Su Casa G Casa were doing an excellent job of slowing the pace down.
The Su Casa G Casa made his run for the lead. During the next quarter of a mile he drew to within a head of Decisive Moment. They ran three quarters of 1:12 3/5, entering the stretch together while closely followed by Expecting Cash and Trubs. The four of them were separated by only a length and were six lengths clear of the longshots. The battle to the wire had begun.
However, it didn’t turn out to be much of a battle. Decisive Moment pulled away from Su Casa G Casa inside the eighth pole and drew off to a 3 1/2 length victory. Su Casa G Casa finished second, outgaming Expecting Cash by a neck with Trubs close behind. Would You rallied from far back to finish fifth, beaten only 1 1/2 lengths for second. The final time was 1:38 4/5.
Here is the complete order of finish. . .
1 Decisive Moment
2 Su Casa G Casa
3 Expecting Cash
4 Trubs
5 Would You
6 One Star Freedom
7 Artic Sea
It will be interesting to see where Decisive Moment turns up next. I would not be surprised if the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds in February is to be his next race. But no matter where he runs, it is obvious that he is a very classy colt who will likely make an impact on the Triple Crown Trail.
The California Derby also went to the favorite, albeit in a more dramatic fashion. The favorite was Positive Response, winner of the Gold Rush Stakes in a wire-to-wire performance. He was fully expected to win again despite drawing gate eleven of twelve.
As the gates opened, Positive Response broke one top. However, he did not go to the lead. Instead, he sat back in fifth, rating three lengths off the pace set by Northern Indy, Jakesam, and Dancing at Dark. The trio ran the opening quarter mile in a quick :22 4/5.
Positive Response then began to inch closer. By the time Jakesam led the field through a half-mile in :46 4/5, he was only a length and a half from the front. Despite being wide and changing his running style, Positive Response was going to give it everything he had.
Passing the three-eighths pole he made a sharp bid for the lead. He powered past the leaders and began to open up on them. Jakesam, despite setting a rapid pace, was staying on well, but was no match for the brilliant favorite. With every stride, Positive Response drew away and hit the wire nearly three lengths in front of Jakesam. Bluegrass Reward, at 30.70-1, rallied from seventh to finish third. Grand Maneuver finished fourth at 21.60-1, completing a superfecta which paid $814.50 for every dollar bet. The final time was 1:44 2/5.
The complete order of finish was as follows. . .
1 Positive Response
2 Jakesam
3 Bluegrass Reward
4 Grand Maneuver
5 Mr. Candy Bar
6 Mazarron
7 Northern Indy
8 Zayda
9 Cut Fastball
10 The Great Caper
11 Rule He Must
12 Dancing at Dark
The El Camino Real Derby (gr. III) is next for the winner. In that race, he will likely have to run against the promising Comma to the Top, wire-to-wire winner of the CashCall Futurity. It will be interesting to see who wins.
The Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park, a local prep race for next month's Southwest Stakes, turned in interesting results. Run in terribly foggy weather, the horses were invisible from the stands as they raced on the backstretch and the race caller was faced with the difficult task of calling a race he couldn't see. However, he did an excellent job.
A side effect of the terrible fog is that no one knows for sure where all of the horses were at certain points in the race. However, what was visible was very impressive.
The even-money favorite was Archarcharch, winner of the Sugar Bowl Stakes. Grant Jack, upset winner of the Springboard Mile, was the second choice. Caleb's Posse was the third choice. Although he had run poorly without any excuse in the Springboard Mile, he had previously won the Clever Trevor Stakes in impressive fashion.
Fastest out of the gate was the longshot, Bluegrass Bull. However, it was the front-running Grant Jack who went straight to the lead. Archarcharch, Bonaroo, and Bluegrass Bull quickly took up pursuit, and after running the opening quarter mile in :23 3/5 they were only heads apart, a length and a half clear of Caleb's Posse. Make It Roses was sixth, with Dreaminofthewin running last.
Fog quickly enveloped them. It is impossible to say what happened down the backstretch, but they ran a half-mile in :47 4/5. When the horses reappeared they were approaching the three quarter pole. Grant Jack led the way through three quarters in 1:15 1/5 but Archarcharch was still right at his throat. Bluegrass Bull was racing along in third, followed by Caleb's Posse. Bonaroo had dropped back to fifth, while Make It Roses and Dreaminofthewin were still last.
Turning for home, Grant Jack started to tire. Archarcharch, despite being the heavy favorite, also began to back up. This allowed Bluegrass Bull and Caleb's Posse to advance. Dreaminofthewin was also rallying strongly from the back of the pack, flying through the fog in a desperate attempt to catch the leaders.
However, Caleb's Posse had opened up too much of a lead. Dreaminofthewin closed fast, but Caleb's Posse hit the wire 2 3/4 lengths in front, stopping the clock in 1:43 flat. Bluegrass Bull finished five lengths behind Dreaminofthewin in third. Archarcharch was another five lengths back, coming home a very disappointing fourth.
The complete order of finish was. . .
1 Caleb's Posse
2 Dreaminofthewin
3 Bluegrass Bull
4 Archarcharch
5 Bonaroo
6 Make It Roses
7 Grant Jack
Caleb's Posse redeemed himself with a strong performance, marking himself as a Southwest Stakes contender. Dreaminofthewin could also be a potential Southwest runner. Archarcharch was seriously disappointing. I'm not sure what to think of him anymore.
The next race to recap is the Jimmy Winkfield Stakes, run at Aqueduct on January 17th. The favorite was Fort Hughes, who was coming off of a second to Royal Currier in the Southhampton Stakes. Rift, a recent winner of a maiden special weight, was the second choice. Royal Currier was the third choice despite beaten Fort Hughes in the Southhampton.
Quickest out of the gate was longshot Bravo Romeo. However, he quickly dropped back to last as Fort Hughes raced up to take the early lead. He was followed closely by Royal Currier, with Rift sitting just behind them in third. Bambi Bound was fourth, followed by Running Tap and Bravo Romeo.
The pace was intense, with Fort Hughes easily rattling off an opening quarter in :22 1/5 and a half in :44 3/5. With a quarter mile to go, he was showing no signs of stopping. Royal Currier was trying to stay with him, but was unable. Rift was also making no headway.
Down the stretch Fort Hughes ran, pulling away from Royal Currier with every stride. He ran five furlongs in :56 1/5 and continued to rocket home, hitting the wire nearly five lengths in front of Royal Currier while stopping the clock in 1:08.33. It was just .40 seconds off of the track record set by Captain Red in 2003. It was an impressive performance, although it is apparent that Fort Hughes is a sprinter and probably won't run in any Triple Crown races.
Here is the order of finish. . .
1 Fort Hughes
2 Royal Currier
3 Rift
4 Bravo Romeo
5 Running Tap
6 Bambi Bound
In the San Pedro Stakes at Santa Anita, a major upset occurred. The favorite was Arcadian, with City Cool and Sinai also well bet. The longest shot in the field was Indian Winter at 10-1, a colt who had not raced since September.
City Cool broke on top, with Acradian also coming out of the gate quickly. Those two raced away to set the pace, with Sinai racing just off of them in third. Mr Artistic M D was fourth, followed by Indian Winter, Industry Leader, and Classic Legacy.
The first quarter mile was running in a blazing :21 1/5, which is about as fast as sprinters can run. It was obvious right then that the winner would be coming from off the pace.
City Cool and Arcadian continued their duel, with the former opening up a 1 1/2 length lead as they approached the five-sixteenths pole. The timer showed that City Cool had blazed a half-mile in :43 3/5. The pace was unbelievable, yet City Cool wasn't stopping.
Down the homestretch he ran, taking a two-length lead past the eighth pole. He ran three quarters of a mile in 1:08 2/5. But in the final strides, the pace he had set began to tell on him. Indian Winter was closing rapidly on the outside. Under Martin Pedroza, Indian Winter got up in time to win the race by a half-length in 1:15 1/5.
City Cool proved that he is a very fine colt by finishing second. After seeing his performance, I am ready to believe that he is one of the quickest sprinters in the country. Sinai finished third after steadying at the three eighths pole and lacking room in the stretch. I thought it was a fine performance on his part and will be giving him a chance to redeem himself next time out.
Here are the complete results. . .
1 Indian Winter
2 City Cool
3 Sinai
4 Mr Artistic M D
5 Classic Legacy
6 Arcadian
7 Industry Leader
Seeing that Arcadian finished sixth after sitting off of City Cool's pace further proves what a good performance City Cool turned in. As for Industry Leader, I was very disappointed by his performance. I expected much better.
In the six-furlong Dixie Belle Stakes at Oaklawn Park, the narrowest of favorites was Lady Giacamo, with All About Allie the second choice. The two of them finished only a neck apart. . . in fourth and fifth place.
Quickest out of the gate was Roma Jean, a 16-1 shot, but it was Lady Giacamo who raced to the lead. She was followed by Put and Take, who was a head in front of Roma Jean after an opening quarter mile in :22 flat. It was four lengths further back to All About Allie and Mazucambera, who were racing together in fourth. Tristanme was sixth, while Screen Siren was far back in last.
They continued in virtually the same order through a half in :46 1/5, with the difference in order being that Mazucambera had passed All About Allie to move into fourth.
However, major changes commenced at this point. They were only a quarter mile from home, and everyone was starting their final bids. Lady Giacamo was confronted by Put and Take. Roma Jean was right behind them, with Mazucambera racing further back in fourth. During the next eighth of a mile Put and Take struck the front as Lady Giacamo faltered. Roma Jean was closing, but it was Mazucambera who was coming strongest. At 16-1, she wasn't supposed to win, but she was charging like an odds-on favorite.
Put and Take passed the eighth pole in :59 3/5 seconds, but was weakening. Roma Jean battled valiently, but was unable to hold off Mazucambera, who passed her late in the race to win by three quarters of a length. It was a pair of 16-1 shots across the wire first, triggering a trifecta which paid $716.70 for every dollar. Put and Take finished third, well clear of All About Allie and Lady Giacamo. The final time was an unimpressive 1:13 3/5.
Here are the complete results. . .
1 Mazucambera
2 Roma Jean
3 Put and Take
4 All About Allie
5 Lady Giacamo
6 Tristanme
7 Screen Siren
This brings us to the Pasco Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. The favorite was Read the Contract, an impressive maiden winner. The second choice was Maincero, who was coming off of a solid victory in the Inaugural Stakes. Bert B Don and Depeche Chat were also well bet.
First out of the gate was Brock N Rock, an 84.90-1 shot who went straight to the lead. He was followed closely by Manicero, with Read the Contract and Bert B Don racing in third and fourth. The opening quarter mile went in a reasonable :23 flat. Porcini Prince was racing in fifth, followed by Ribo Bobo, Depeche Chat, and Imperial Czar, a 95.90-1.
Approaching the three-eighths pole, Manicero took the lead from the tiring Brock N Rock. Bert B Don was close behind in third, with Read the Contract just behind them, poised to make his bid for the lead. However, Manicero quickly put some distance between himself and the remainder of the field. He passed the eighth pole with a two length lead, completing six furlongs in 1:11 2/5. Bert B Don had moved up to second but was losing ground. Read the Contract was third, but unable to close any ground.
Suddenly, Bert B Don began to re-rally. Inch by inch he drew closer to Manicero, he was beginning to show signs of tiring. However, as fast as Bert B Don closed, he was unable to catch the leader. Manicero lasted by a half-length, completing the seven-furlong race in 1:24 2/5. Depeche Chat came on late for third, with Read the Contract finishing fourth. Amazingly, Imperial Czar rallied to finish fifth, earning himself $2,250. Not bad for a 96-1 shot!
The complete order of finish was. . .
1 Manicero
2 Bert B Don
3 Depeche Chat
4 Read the Contract
5 Imperial Czar
6 Ribo Bobo
7 Porcini Prince
8 Brock N Rock
It is now quite apparent that Manicero is a sprinter, for he was tiring in the stretch despite sitting off of a fairly slow pace. However, I do believe that Bert B Don could be something special around two turns and anticipate his next start.
A pair of allowance optional claiming races at Fair Grounds on Saturday and Sunday could potentially yield a Triple Crown contender or two. The first one, a six-furlong event on the dirt on Saturday, drew a field of six runners. The favorite was Changing the Rules, with Moonbie, Prime Cut, and Appealing Image also well bet.
However, those four runners ended up being the last four finishers.
Hydro Power, the longshot at 25.40-1, broke running and charged to an early advantage. Moonbie was a length behind in second, with Divine Music and Appealing Image sitting together in third. Changing the Rules and Prime Cut trailed the field.
The opening quarter mile went in a respectable :22 1/5. Divine Music then began to make a bid for the lead, passing a tiring Moonbie and moving to within a head of Hydro Power as they passed a half-mile in :45 3/5. Changing the Rules had moved up to be third, just a length off of the lead, and Appealing Imagine was glued to his side.
Divine Music continued his bold run, putting away Hydro Power to lead by two lengths passing the eighth pole. Hydro Power was another three lengths in front of Changing the Rules. Prime Cut was closing, but not fast enough.
Hydro Power came back at Divine Music late in the stretch, but the latter held him safe by 1 1/4 lengths, completing the six furlongs in 1:10 3/5. Prime Cut finished third, not badly beaten at all. I believe that he will get better at longer distances. Changing the Rules, Moonbie, and Appealing Image finished just heads apart at the back of the field.
So the complete order of finish was. . .
1 Divine Music
2 Hydro Power
3 Prime Cut
4 Changing the Rules
5 Moonbie
6 Appealing Image
The Sunday allowance race was similar to the Saturday race except that it was for fillies. It also drew a six horse field, led by the even-money favorite Wicked Deed. She had shown a tremendous turn of foot when breaking her maiden and was expected to turn in a similar performance here. Sam's Bliss was the second choice. In the end, those two would lead the way across the finish line.
The early pace was set by Sotogenic, who ran the opening quarter in :22 flat while leading Sam's Bliss by a half-length. Ellusive Wildcat, Sweet Tia, and Wicked Deed were all head apart in third, fourth, and fifth, while Lovenotlost trailed the field.
Sam's Bliss took the lead from Sotogenic approaching the quarter pole and led by a half-length after running a half-mile in :45 4/5. Lovenotlost had closed considerable ground and was sitting third. But it was Wicked Deed who was coming strongest.
Into the homestretch the six fillies charged, with Wicked Deed and Sam's Bliss separated by only a head passing the eighth pole. But ever so slowly, Wicked Deed began to draw away, eventually hitting the finish line a half-length in front while completing the six furlongs in 1:11 flat. Sam's Bliss was game to the finish, never giving up while finishing 1 1/4 lengths clear of the third place finisher, Lovenotlost.
Here are the full results. . .
1 Wicked Deed
2 Sam's Bliss
3 Lovenotlost
4 Sotogenic
5 Sweet Tia
6 Ellusive Wildcat
This brings us to a notable seven-furlong maiden special weight race at Gulfstream Park on January 15th. The odds-on favorite was Arch Traveler, but I was watching the second choice, Break Up the Game. The latter was coming off of a second place finish at Aqueduct in November and I expected a strong performance.
Arch Traveler broke sharply and took up dueling with Heron Lake for the lead. Katz My Song, Hammersmith, and Kentucky Reign were heads apart in third, with Break Up the Game just three lengths off the lead in sixth.
Arch Traveler and Heron Lake continued their personal duel, seemingly involved in a match race. They ran the opening quarter mile in :22 2/5 and the half in :45 3/5. Neither was giving an inch, both battling gamely; both colts oblivious to the remainder of the race being run behind them.
They turned for home locked together, but Heron Lake was beginning to get the better of his rival. Hammersmith had his sights set on both of them, ranging up on the outside to join the battle. Break Up the Game had moved up to fourth, but was beginning to flatten out.
Past the eighth pole the front-runners dueled, with Heron Lake sticking his head in front of his courageous rival. But Hammersmith was drawing ever closer, bravely inching closer with every stride. Break Up the Game was also coming on, apparently unflattening himself in deep stretch.
Hammersmith was game, but Heron Lake was gamer still. As they flashed under the finish line, Heron Lake still had his head in front. Hammersmith finished second, with Arch Traveler just three quarters of a length behind the leading pair in third. Break Up the Game was another head behind him, beaten about a length for everything. It was an impressive performance by all of them, especially after one notes that they stopped the clock in a sharp 1:23 2/5, just 3/5 of a second off the track record.
The complete order of finish was. . .
1 Heron Lake
2 Hammersmith
3 Arch Traveler
4 Break Up the Game
5 Vee's Accolade
6 King Alpha
7 Katz My Song
8 Kentucky Reign
In the seven-furlong My Trusty Cat Stakes at Delta Downs, the odds-on favorite was Flash Mash, an undefeated filly who was coming off of a ten-length victory in a six-furlong allowance race at Fair Grounds. However, she turned in a very disappointing effort.
Gran Lioness broke on top and was sent straight to the lead. Flash Mash broke well also and moved into second. Grandacious, the third choice, was sitting in third. She was followed by Dixieland Band, with Tensas Punch racing in fifth. Street Storm, Holy Heavens, Forest Sky, and Little Widow Maker were trailing the field.
The opening quarter mile was run in :23 4/5, with Gran Lioness on top by 1 ½ lengths. She continued to show the way through a half-mile in :48 1/5. Flash Mash was still sitting second, but with sudden speed she began to retreat, allowing Grandacious to move into second. Holy Heavens was beginning to make a bit of a rally as well.
As Flash Mash retreated, Gran Lioness suddenly turned on the afterburners. She burst clear in as the field turned for home and quickly opened up sizeable advantage. Past the eighth pole she led by three lengths. Grandacious was giving chase, but in vain. Gran Lioness ran her final eighth of a mile in :11 4/5 seconds, coming home 3 1/4 lengths in front. Grandacious finished 5 1/2 lengths clear of Holy Heaven, who rallied mildly to finish third. The final time was 1:25 3/5.
The complete order of finish was. . .
1 Gran Lioness
2 Grandacious
3 Holy Heavens
4 Tensas Punch
5 Forest Sky
6 Flash Mash
7 Street Storm
8 Little Widow Maker
9 Dixieland Bull
I was extremely disappointed by Flash Mash's poor showing. But one must give credit to Gran Lioness, who ran an exceptional race.
Now we come to the Santa Ynez Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park. A seven-furlong race for fillies, the heavy favorite was Zazu, who had run fifth in the Hollywood Starlet Stakes in her last start but had proven herself to be a potentially brilliant sprinter. Her main opposition was expected to be California Nectar and Plum Pretty.
In the end, those three occupied the top three spots, but not in the expected order.
California Nectar broke well and raced away to set the pace. She was followed closely by Plum Pretty, with Warren's Flyer right behind them in third. Zazu broke last, coming out of the gate just a bit slowly under new rider Joel Rosario.
The pace was a rapid one. California Nectar ran the opening quarter in :22 flat, with Plum Pretty giving chase. Those two continued to lead the way through a half mile in a scorching :44 1/5. They were only three eighths of a mile from home and Zazu was still last.
However, as the field turned into the homestretch, Zazu began to inch closer. California Nectar had kicked clear from Plum Pretty and led by 1 1/2 lengths passing the eighth pole, but Zazu was closely rapidly. With powerful strides she drew ever closer to the frontrunner, but just failed to catch her by a neck. California Nectar won the race, completing the seven furlongs in 1:21 1/5. Plum Pretty finished third, 3 1/4 lengths behind Zazu.
The complete order of finish was. . .
1 California Nectar
2 Zazu
3 Plum Pretty
4 Star of Presence
5 Teroda
6 Warren's Flyer
7 Alec's Moon
Perhaps one of the finest performances of the long weekend was turned in by Devilish Lady in the Gasparilla Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. Sent off as the odds-on favorite in the seven-furlong event, she rated just off the lead in fifth through an opening quarter mile in :23 flat, set by Royale Harbor and Miss Fifty, who were dueling just heads apart for the lead.
However, none of the seven fillies running against Devilish Lady would matter. With stunning speed Devilish Lady overtook the leaders while racing very wide. She quickly widened her advantage, leading by 3 1/2 lengths at the eighth pole. She nearly doubled that margin inside the final furlong, drawing off to a 6 3/4 length triumph in 1:25 1/5. It was a truly dominating performance, one which left me awed at her obviously immense talent. This is a filly that has a grand future ahead of her.
My Pal Chrisy ran a respectable race, closing from seventh to finish second, although soundly beaten. Fashionable Elsa also closed some ground to finish third, but was beaten twelve lengths by the winner.
The complete order of finish was. . .
1 Devilish Lady
2 My Pal Chrisy
3 Fashionable Elsa
4 Holy Royal
5 Ravionetta
6 Royale Harbor
7 Itcouldbesunshine
8 Miss Fifty
Now we come to the Dania Beach Stakes at Gulfstream Park. The heavy favorite was Lil Bit O'Fun, with Swift Warrior and Adirondack Summer the second and third choices, respectively. The latter was coming off of a trouble-filled trip in a one-mile allowance race at Aqueduct and I suspected that he was ready to turn in a winning performance. He did.
The Best Glacier, a 27.90-1 shot, raced away to take the early lead. He was followed by a rank Lil Bit O'Fun, who was not liking his rider’s attempts to rate him. Those two set the pace for the majority of the race. In the meantime, Adirondack Summer was sitting last, far off of the pace.
Through fractions of :23 2/5 and :46 3/5 The Best Glacier and Lil Bit O'Fun led the way. Twinspired was sitting third, with Swift Warrior and Megalith together in fourth. Brilliant Speed was sixth, followed by Racing Aptitude, Master Dunker, and Adirondack Summer.
Three quarters of a mile went in 1:10 1/5. The pace was swift. The Best Glacier and Lil Bit O' Fun could not keep dueling forever. One or the other, perhaps both, would have to crack.
They both did.
The Best Glacier held on the longest, leading into the stretch. Then a game of "Pass the Lead!" began.
Megalith struck the lead first, taking a half-length advantage past the eighth pole. Then Twinspired passed him. Then Swift Warrior passed them both. Then Swift Warrior was swallowed up by Brilliant Speed and Master Dunker. Then Adirondack Warrior topped everyone by rallying from eighth at the eighth pole to win the race by a nose. The final time was 1:34 2/5.
The race was, in ways, amusing to watch. Just when you thought that one horse had the race sewn up, he would relent the lead to someone else. I felt positive that Swift Warrior had the race won in deep stretch. He ended up finishing fourth!
However, there was one disqualification. Swift Warrior had drifted in during deep stretch, causing some crowding. The Best Glacier clippef heels as a result of this, hastening his retreat to the rear of the field. Seeing that Swift Warrior caused the incident, the stewards were left with no choice but to disqualify him to eighth.
The final results were. . .
1 Adirondack Summer
2 Brilliant Speed
3 Master Dunker
4 Swift Warrior
5 Megalith
6 Twinspired
7 Racing Aptitude
8 The Best Glacier
9 Lil Bit O'Fun
It is apparent that Adirondack Summer packs a mean late kick. My calculations show that he closed his final quarter in a little less than :23 seconds, and his final eighth in something like eleven seconds or so, perhaps less. This despite the fact that he was forced to alter his course at the top of the stretch!
This brings us to the final race of note; the conclusion to this extremely lengthy post. It was a six-furlong allowance optional claiming race at Santa Anita Park. The favorite was Chiloquin, and he ran like a favorite should.
The early pace was set by Tonzatrouble, who rattled off testing fractions of :21 4/5 and :44 1/5 while maintaining a one-length advantage over Chiloquin. Luckarack was racing in third, followed by Drink At Buster's and Kalyra Cat.
Turning for home, Tonzatrouble's lead evaporated. He was passed by Chiloquin approaching the eighth pole and back up to finish fourth. In the meantime, Drink At Buster's was making a run at Chiloquin. Although he closed strongly, Chiloquin's final eighth in :12 1/5 was enough to carry him to a 3/4 length victory. Drink At Buster's outgamed Luckarack for second by a neck. The final time was 1:08 2/5.
The final results were. . .
1 Chiloquin
2 Drink At Buster's
3 Luckarack
4 Tonzatrouble
5 Kalyra Cat
I must admit that this post turned out to be considerably longer then I had intended, and in retrospect I should have split it into two parts. But I did not, and so congratulations if you have made it to the bottom of this unusually lengthy post. I will try to keep them shorter in the future!
In conclusion, it was a tremendous weekend of racing. I hope you enjoyed it!
-Keelerman
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