Prior to the running of this year's $500,000 Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I), it was billed as the race that would help sort out the older males division; help give us a favorite for the Breeders' Cup Classic.
However, when Pool Play rallied from last to score a stunning 35-1 upset in the Stephen Foster, it only muddled the division further.
Jockey Miguel Mena guided Pool Play to the back of the field in the early going and Regal Ransom and Mission Impazible set a moderate pace of :23.96 and :48.74 over a main track labeled good. Crown of Thorns, Duke of Mischief, and Worldly weren't far behind. Giant Oak, the mild favorite at 9-2, was next-to-last.
Mission Impazible took over the lead from Regal Ransom entering the homestretch and appeared to have every chance at victory. Flat Out was rallying up along the inside, but not strongly enough. Duke of Mischief was on the outside but tiring a bit. Suddenly, Pool Play and Apart appeared on the scene. Both were flying in the stretch, but Apart was squeezed a bit in the stretch by Pool Play and Duke of Mischief and had to check his run. In the meantime, Pool Play continued on furiously to deny Mission Impazible the victory.
Apart finished third, followed by Duke of Mischief. Flat Out just held off Giant Oak for fifth. The final time was 1:50.52.
-Keelerman
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