Daylight Surprises to Win Grade 1 Fair Warning in New York

Highbreed’s Daylight(IRE) raced near the lead the and took over the lead 5/16ths from the finish line to draw off to a surprising three-quarter length victory in the $500,000 Grade 1 Fair Warning.  Meguire4th’s Squall is a Storm made a big run in the stretch to finish second.  Favorite Swift Kick ran wide throughout the race and had nothing left in the stretch to finish fourth, beaten by over three lengths.  Fernando’s Berenguela raced with Squall is a Storm but could not keep pace with Squall in the stretch and finished third. 

The race looked to be shaping up in favor of Swift Kick, with quick opening fractions by Back Flips.  Swift Kick looked poised to take the lead as the horses entered the stretch but she could not get in front of Daylight and then faded.  Daylight took the lead and drew off under mild urging from jockey A Pritchard. 

Daylight’s jockey A Pritchard quickly moved Daylight to the rail after the start and rode the rail until she made her move to the front approaching the stretch run.  She kicked into another gear in the stretch and had plenty left at the wire.

For the highbreed stable this was the first lifetime Grade 1 victory.  Daylight earned $300,000 for her effort.

Also at New York this week there was an impressive victory in the fourth race by genesis66’s Melek Ha Cavode.  This was the second win in the two race career for Melek Ha Cavode.  The 3 year old homebred colt has raced both career races at New York with leading rider N Painter on board for both wins.  The modestly bred Melek Ha Cavode, Touch Gold x Royal Danzig x Fast Play, seemed to enjoy going around two turns for the first time.  He entered the stretch in third place but took the lead early into the stretch and began drawing away easily, posting a speed figure of 92.