Grade-1 Eddie Haskell Recap
There were “high fives” circulating all around Trainer Super21’s owner’s box as the his colt Ras El Hanout hit the wire a clear 1 ¾ lengths ahead of Blankpoin2’s runner up finisher Letmegocrazyonu. A minute later the chant “Breeders Bowl, Breeders Bowl” rang out thru the box. With earnings of just under $2.5 Million, Ras El Hanout has stamped himself as a serious contender for top 3 year old Classic Colt Dirt Division honors and the path to the Breeders Bowl is clear. With his fine showing, 2nd place finisher Letmegocrazyonu now has $1.3 Million in earnings and his 111.090 speed figure also may give trainer Blankpoin2 Breeder Bowl aspirations for his colt. Rounding out the minor awards were trainer Goody’s colt Boobird with a fine 3rd place showing, trainer Thematrix’s colt Newstead and finishing in 5th place was trainer Arminarm’s colt Towd Tin Pot.
RACE RECAP:
The early stage went pretty much to script trainer Joe333’s colt Main Runner bolted to the early lead, at his flanks were trainer Elzid’s colt Love You Jo and trainer Tazdevil’s colt Lookin At Hotrod, stalking the lead trio 2 lengths back were Boobird and Towd Tin Pot, trailed closely 1 more length back was Letmegocrazyonu and trainer Deparks colt Sacramental Wine. In 8th position was Bulletday9’s colt Avenged, who broke slower than expected and seemed to be struggling early, just inside of him Ras El Hanout was rating comfortably and jockey J. Benisz sitting coolly, biding his time. Newstead was 12th already 6 lengths from the lead, 2 ½ lengths ahead of trainer Graywolf6’s Twin Of Queensland who was slowly losing contact with the field.
Through a half mile in 47:14 the running order hadn’t changed but Main Runner had opened a bit more breathing room over Lookin At Hotrod and Love You Joe, but the stalking and mid pack group in 3rd thru 8th positions were only 5 lenths from the lead and in easy striking position. It was obvious at this point that Avenged in 9th was not running his usual race and Twin Of Queensland now 13 lengths behind was also uncomfortable with the pace.
As the field hit the 6 furlong marker for the stretch run the race began to unfold, Boobird made a bold move and assumed a short lead of Main Runner, who’s stride was now shortening. Letmegocrazy made his move and was at the heels of the 2 leaders. Ras El Hanout was just behind them on the rail and it was apparent that jockey J. Benisz was looking for racing room as his hard charging colt looked full of run. Towd Tin Pot was just outside of Ras El Hanout trying to keep his stretch momentum, just ahead of Lookin At Hotrod who was giving ground grudgingly but fading nonetheless. Love You Jo was now in 7th and fading followed by the struggling Avenged and Newstead now 9th and starting to roll but with 7 ¼ lengths to still make up, he was running out of racetrack..
As the colts hit mid stretch, .jockey J. Benisz found racing room for Ras El Hanout, who assumed control of the lead. Letmegocrazyonu was inching past the resilient Boobird who was resolutely trying to hold position. Newstead was finding his best stride but it was too late to bag a top 3 finish. Towd Tin Pot held on and was clearly the best of the rest.
.
Race Comments: (in order of finish)
RAS EL HANOUT: impressive winner in an impressive time of 112.722, stamps him as one of the best in the division, and gives trainer Super21 many future options.
LETMEGOCRAZYONU: good stretch move, back in Grade-1 form, proved California Derby win was no fluke. Ready to move forward and tackle division’s best
BOOBIRD: outstanding hard knocking effort, ½ furlong less and he’d have registered his first Graded Stake victory. Proved he’s ready for Graded company.
NEWSTEAD: saved ground early, but 10 lengths proved to be too much to make up, still had energy in reserve and was gaining at the wire.
TOWD TIN POT: good even effort he loomed boldly at the top of the stretch but couldn’t gain on the top 3 finishers, held on well for hard earned 5th.
MAIN RUNNER: early leader, tried to open up at 4 furlong call but couldn’t break away from field, slow fade through stretch.
LOOKIN AT HOTROD: pressed pace early, was prominent to the stretch but couldn’t keep pace and slowly drifted back in stretch.
AVENGED: didn’t seem to take to the track, boxed in and struggled with the pace all race, not jockey C. Hargain’s finest hour to be sure.
PROFUSELY: never got involved, only passed “dead” tired runners and ones that didn’t fit the class level.
LOVE YOU JO: pressured early leader, he was prominent to 4 furlongs and faded badly thru the stretch.
INTOSLEW: dull effort, steady fade, couldn’t keep pace throughout.
SACRAMENTAL WINE: mid pack early, no response when asked for best at 6 furlong call, dead tired, empty in stretch.
TWIN OF QUEENSLAND: trailed throughout entire race, begging for a class drop.