Went the Day Well gave trainer Graham Motion and Team Valor International their second straight win in the $500,000 Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes (gr. III), turning back a bid from Holiday Promise to win the race by three and a half lengths.
Ridden to victory by John Velazquez, the son of Proud Citizen got off to a good beginning and settled into the fourth position early on as favored Heavy Breathing sat a challenging pace of :23.10 and :46.98 while being pressured by Ill Conceived. Coach Royal, Tizanexpense, and Red Jack were also close to the pace, while Handsome Mike -- who was expected to be on or near the lead -- was the early trailer.
As the field made their way around the final turn, Went the Day Well began to moved up on the outside of horses, inching closer to the lead as Heavy Breathing came under pressure to try and keep the lead. Also looming a serious threat was Holiday Promise, who was in the midst of making a strong bid on the far outside. These three entered the homestretch as the major contenders, with Went the Day Well taking over the lead in early stretch and briefly drawing clear. Heavy Breathing was staying on well toward the rail, but the only other serious win threat was Holiday Promise, who in mid-stretch looked capable of getting past Went the Day Well. However, Went the Day Well was able to maintain his run all the way to the wire, stopping the clock for nine furlongs in 1:51.33. For the victory, he earned $300,000, more than enough to earn him a trip to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby (gr. I).
Heavy Breathing held off a late-running Handsome Mike for third, while Stealcase, All Squared Away, Ill Conceived, Russian Greek, Tizanexpense, Red Jack, Mr. Prankster, and Coach Royal completed the order of finish.
-Keelerman
Uhhh, he won by THREE and a half! Going away!
ReplyDeleteVada;
ReplyDeleteThanks for pointing that out! I've fixed the error.
-Keelerman