Big Race Recap 2741
The lone grade I was a thriller worth viewing and did we witness the coming of age of Sissonhill? This would have been a great week to use me as a tip sheet. I mentioned the winner of every single race in last weeks preview evening naming Sissonhill at 7/1 a most likely winner. Enough patting myself on the back I guess, onto the horses.
Race:
Track:
Restrictions: All horses, 4 years old and up
Distance: One mile on the Dirt
What a thriller. On paper it looked like a two horse race and both horses lived up to the hype. It took the entire stretch but Unprecedented managed to just nose out Bfiftytwo at the wire with Alyrush on his flank a mere quarter length behind. Bfiftytwo was expected to be near or on the pace and got an ideal stalking position just behind a long shot pace setter. Unprecedented stayed a little closer to the pace today running in sixth early on about five lengths from the pace setter. Alyrush was near the back about eight lengths off the early pace.
As the field neared the final turn Bfiftytwo quickly assumed the lead and opened up a two length lead. Unprecedented moved up assuming the chase in second while Alyrush was moving through traffic around the turn. At the top of the stretch Bfiftytwo looked strong with Unprecedented grinding away at the lead. Unprecedented kept coming but Bfiftytwo still looked like he had enough to get to the wire. From the back of the pack Alyrush was unleashing a frantic move closing quickly or the top two.
As the wire got closer the suspense kept building and just as Alyrush was sweeping up to the leaders they crossed the wire with Unprecedented grinding out the victory over the gutsy Bfiftytwo and the fast closing Alyrush.
Race: 2741.5215 Disco Inferno Stakes – Grade II – $125,000
Track:
Restrictions: Fillies and mares, 4 years old and up
Distance: A mile and three eighths on the Dirt
Donner looked much the best on paper and performed like much the best on the track. Her class edge over this field was very apparent. Donner stalked the early pace of Daylight Dreamer (IRE). As they rounded the final turn for home Donner picked up the pace and cruised on by opening up in the stretch. Violent Storm made a belated bid from way back. She was running lights out through the stretch getting to within a length and a half of Donner at the wire however she never really threatened the winner. Daylight Dreamer (IRE) held onto third.
Race: 2741.5715 Everclear Handicap – Grade II – $250,000
Track:
Restrictions: All horses, 4 years old and up
Distance: Five and one half furlongs on the Turf
I named him the better of the four favorites in this race and Digital Overture lived up to the billing holding on by a slim margin over one of the other favorites Tete Not Galileo (IRE). Digital Overture set the early pace and held strong through the stretch. Tete Not Galileo (IRE) closed from mid pack and was flying late just missing again. I say again because it was his fourth second place finish in his last five starts. Long shot Muadib closed strongly from second last. Muadib used the rail to guide his quick attack to the front where he just fell short finishing third a quarter length behind the winner.
Race: 2741.0115 San Valenzuala Breeders Bowl Stakes – Grade II – $250,000
Track:
Restrictions: All horses, 4 years old and up
Distance: A mile and one sixteenth on the Dirt
Sissonhill looked like the most likely winner on paper and he ran like a most likely winner. He ran his race going right to the lead. He was pressed a bit early on but kicked clear rounding the turn for home. He made a steady drive through the stretch and had enough to hold off the late move of High Otto.
High Otto was mid pack early on about six lengths off the pace of Sissonhill. He managed to move up around the turn and really started to churn away in the stretch. He just ran out of ground in the end getting to within a half length of Sissonhill at the wire. Stereotypical Cat ran evenly and finished third.
Race: 2741.2915 Yanta Snez Stakes – Grade II – $225,000
Track:
Restrictions: Fillies and mares, 3 years old
Distance: Seven furlongs on the Dirt
The top three here were no real surprise. Smokin Lois ran her typical come from behind style and smoked this field by two lengths. The other contenders here all went to the front and that set up nicely for Smokin Lois who cruised by them all in the stretch. Shovelhead (AUS) stalked in third early on and was able to wear away at Groomed To Romp T earning the place by a half length.
Race: 2741.6916 Hello Goodbye Stakes – Grade II – $250,000
Track:
Restrictions: Fillies and mares, 3 years old
Distance: A mile and one eighth on the Dirt
“If she belongs at this level she will let us know this weekend.” Say hello to the newest Oaks contender as Why Did You Stop (IRE) administered a shocker over the weekend. At 15/1 she was a long shot but she looked good enough before the race to deserve some mention. Why Did You Stop (IRE) closed from well off the pace to absolutely blow this field away by two and a quarter lengths. Once they were in the stretch there was little doubt who was in charge.
Zytown was the favorite ran pretty well off the slight layoff but lacked the needed kick in the stretch to hold off the winner. Zytown was a clear second three and a half lengths clear of third place