The unbeaten stakes winner Samraat brought his record to a perfect 4-for-4 when he out-gamed Uncle Sign in a thrilling stretch duel to win the $250,000 Wither Stakes (gr. III) at Aqueduct by one length.
With jockey Jose Ortiz in the saddle for trainer Richard Violette Jr., Samraat was sent off as the narrowest of second choices in the betting at odds of 1.15-1, which was virtually the same price as favored Uncle Sigh. Breaking from post five in a field of six, Samraat got off to a very good start and soon settled into the second position, tracking early leader Uncle Sigh through moderate fractions of :24.00, :48.33, and 1:12.77. Street Gent was racing in third, followed by Classic Giacnroll, Honorable Judge, and Scotland, but it was soon apparent that the Withers was turning into a two-horse race.
Heading down the backstretch, Samraat and Uncle Sigh extended their advantage from three lengths, then to four, and to five. Around the turn, they opened up six lengths, and then seven lengths as they time they passed the five-sixteenths pole. At that point, Samraat moved up to challenge Uncle Sigh for the lead, and the margin between them and the rest of the field extended to eight lengths, then nine. Just prior to the eighth pole, Samraat opened up a half-length edge over his stubborn rival, who was now ten lengths clear of Classic Giacnroll and the rallying Scotland. Uncle Sigh proved game to the finish, but Samraat was just slightly better at the end of the 8 1/2-furlong duel, which was concluded in the time of 1:46.31 seconds.
Scotland rallied well in the final furlong to finish third by 2 3/4 lengths over Classic Giacnroll, albeit 10 1/2 lengths behind Uncle Sigh. Honorable Judge and Street Gent completed the order of finish.
Samraat is a son of Noble Causeway out of the Indian Charlie mare Little Indian Girl. He is now a two-time stakes winner, having won the Damon Runyon Stakes as a two-year-old in December last year. Owned and bred by My Meadowview Farm, Samraat earned $150,000 for his victory in the Withers, which brings his total career earnings to $283,200. He also earned 10 Kentucky Derby qualification points, while Uncle Sigh, Scotland, and Classic Giacnroll earned 4, 2, and 1, respectively.
-Keelerman
No comments:
Post a Comment