The BTB preview was very prescient indeed. To quote: “Light Spectrum(GB) is primed for her best here, proved she’s not caught up on the front end.” She wasn’t caught up, and to that end she was rewarded with a very impressive three-and-a-half length victory in Saturday’s Grade II, $200,000 Big Time Handicap in New York. Favored Bella Figura gained ground on the hedge far too late for second, with Aztec Torpedo running third.
The race set-up was ideal for Light Spectrum(GB), with Mother Lois going to the lead early on over this ten-furlong marathon, and with Sweet Sunshyne(IRE) sitting chilly in second, as they proceeded through very modest fractions early on. Light Spectrum(GB) remained content to sit nicely in third, and the other contenders—Bella Figura, Aztec Torpedo and Ilovetheflowergirl—sat back in hopes of a late charge. With about a half-mile left, Light Spectrum(GB) unfurled her late rain, with a lot of real estate opened to her on the outside. She collared Mother Lois at the quarter pole, and was never seriously challenged late, as she was eased under the wire. Bella Figura closed ground on an inside trip late, but having to rally from twelve lengths off the pace took its toll on her kick, as she wound up second. Aztec Torpedo had less ground to make up but failed to make inroads late, beaten almost seven lengths in third.
The victory earned $120,000 for Light Spectrum(GB)’s career bankroll as well as for trainer blaster2, and rewarded faithful BTB readers who heeded the call with a win mutuel of $4.90. The BTB-chosen exacta, with Bella Figura, returned $22.90. The winner successfully completed the mile-and-a-quarter in a robust 2:02 4/5 over a firm course, earning a speed figure of 98 for the Grade II-winning performance. The resilient five-year-old daughter of Diesis(GB) earned her first career graded victory here, as well as her fifth win in six ’05 starts, and just may be poised for one more year of high-quality competition on the grass if her connections opt to keep her out of the breeding shed.