Colonial Derby Recap

When the Virginia Track Handicapper designated the ( 2 ) Co-Favorites at 7-1 and the longest ( 2 ) odds in the race at 17-1, it’s a surefire indication that you’ve got a real wide open and competitive race brewing, with every entry having at least a moderate chance for success. Trainer Chloedawg’s colt Weekend Romance, who tuned up nicely with a respectable 4^th place Grade-1 effort last out, unleashed the same type of “powerful” stretch move he used to win the Grade-3 Crown Roy’s to notch his 2^nd Graded Stakes win (at the “delightful odds of 12-1) and stamped himself as a horse moving up the ranks in the Sim’s 3 year old Turf Route division.

At the break Futurestar’’s colt Forbes Field was able to grab a clear lead despite a “moderate” opening quarter of 23:81, tracked by Stcmead’s colt Authoring Ballet and Newastin3’s colt Portlandia, who raced side by side 1 ½ lengths behind the leader. Meanwhile Jockey S. Dawsey patiently rated the eventual winner 9 ¾ lengths behind in 13^th position. By the 4 furlong call Forbes Field still controlled the lead with a steady 47:55 pace and had now opened a 2 ¼ length lead, Weekend Romance in 12^th place and running comfortably was still biding his time. As the field entered the final turn, the real racing was starting to unfold, Forbes Field still held the 2 ¼ length lead, Pmjstable’s What A Trickster was creeping up along the rail gaining 2nd position and inching ahead of Authoring Ballet and Portlandia who were both starting to feel the pace effects. Meanwhile, Skunkwork2’s Cryin Again was looming boldly in 6^th a length and a half in front of Weekend Romance who despite being 8 ½ lengths off the lead, was now really hitting his best stride. Farther back Marmac’s Rogue Operative and Socko’s Daiwa Express were also gaining momentum. Halfway through the stretch What a Trickster managed to run down Forbes Field and held a 1 length lead, but Weekend Romance was gaining with every stride, now just a rapidly shrinking 1 ¾ lights back in 3^rd. What A Trickster’s lead proved to be short lived as Weekend Romance surged by with authority and won by 2 ¾ lengths going away, posting a career best 107 Speed Figure. What A Trickster held 2^nd over the steady grinding Cryin Again, who was followed by Rogue Operative who just nosed out the game but fading Forbes Field for 4^th place.

Race Comments:  (in order of finish)

WEEKEND ROMANCE:  huge stretch move, lightly raced Colt becoming a “force” in 3 yr old Turf Division

WHAT A TRICKSTER:  excellent inside trip, tried hard and gained the lead, just couldn’t hold late charging winner.

CRYIN AGAIN:  rated well, good move at 6 furlongs, steady in stretch clearly best of the rest.

ROGUE OPERATIVE: reserved early, “flew” in stretch to earn minor slice of purse

FORBES FIELD:  controlled pace, held on gamely, just nipped for 4th

AUTHORING BALLET:  tried to press early pace, tired in stretch but fought on.

DAIWA EXPRESSED:  last at 4 furlongs, rallied well in stretch, passed tired runners.

HOOKED: raced mid pack, small wide move entering stretch, hung in mid stretch

JIVE TALKING: raced evenly mid pack, flat in stretch, never threatened.

PORTLANDIA:  chased early speed, nothing left in the stretch, early pace casualty.

WINDPROUD: stalked early leaders in 4th, slow steady fade, dry stretch run.

MTK ALCHEMIST:  struggled early, no response when asked entering stretch

ONESWINGOFTHEBAT: trailed throughout never in contention, dull effort

MAUI DUBAWI:  chased early leaders mid pack, finished by the stretch, faded badly.