K’s Stand Tall Still Perfect

Shortly before Saturday’s Ferdilouka Stakes, I ran into Mr. Ledwith. I asked him about the decision to go with Z. Kentucky again, after his poor ride on K’s Eskape a couple of weeks ago. He replied, “I did have some words with Mr. Kentucky 2 weeks ago, he was told to come from behind but he thought otherwise…still I gave him a vote of confidence this week. I think that if you give people a second chance they will do it better, and he better does it..otherwise I’ll fly in “uncle Leo & Corleone’s friends” to pay him a visit.” He laughed, and I left him to go to the press box.

Apparently, whatever he said to Kentucky worked. K’s Stand Tall broke cleanly, holding off Kaka Ricardo, Favotector, and Stormin At Home(GB), who all tried to beat her to the lead. Pikeville and No Minimum were content to settle in behind the frontrunners, while the two Irishbred fillies Pierce(Ire) and Crimson Express(Ire) went to the back to wait for the right time to make their closing kicks.

By the halfway point, Favotector and Stormin At Home(GB) began to fade, and it was all too painfully apparent that something was quite wrong with Crimson Express(Ire). As they hit the top of the stretch, Kaka Ricardo made her move, but K’s Stand Tall was just too strong for her, digging in and refusing to let her get closer than half a length behind. Pierce(Ire) waited much too long to make her move, but did get past the fading stalkers to finish third. Pikeville and Favotector were fourth and fifth.

Stand Tall’s speed figure for the race was an excellent 90, and she is now a perfect six for six. This was her toughest test so far, and she passed it with flying colours. Kaka Ricardo also improved very much today, running an 86. Crimson Express(Ire) was vanned off, and we hope her injury is not too serious. We wish her a speedy recovery, and a successful return to the track. Until next time……..salud.