Chicago Derby winner Squal Me Halo upsets Macho Niner
Kentucky– Beware of those johnny-come-latelys! Just when you think you got a great story: the classic winner aiming for his third victory in a row and the undisputed lead in the 3YO division…… POW! Along comes a squall to rain on your storyline parade and such did Squal Me Halo reign this Saturday in the Grade 1 $1,000,000 It’s My Birthday And I’ll Cry If I Want To Stakes.
But you can’t say all is pure doom, because binzaman’s son of Summer Squall has been hovering near the top of the division for quite some time now. An exciting individual, Squal Me Halo won May’s Chicago Derby(G1) in a dominating wire to wire performance that turned a lot of heads. His 107 SP# at Illinois came on the heels of a spritely gorgeous finish to the eventual Middle Jewel champ Fly for Buda in the California Derby(G1).
The chocolate brown colt then was a contender (albeit a late-comer) on the Triple Crown trail. It was only a matter of time before he put all the pieces together, seizing his long-awaited moment in the sun.
And the It’s My Birthday(G1) proved the perfect party. Top Kentucky jockey D. ‘Denny’ Givins deserves a heckuva lot of credit — he got the speedster Squal Me Halo to successfully rate behind the pacesetters and that was the most definite key. Up front, stretch’s longshot Indispensable joined oldgraymar’s rocket Cader Ydris(IRE) in a thorough head-to-head battle. Additionally, New Yorker hero Macho Niner (louisville) surprised all in attendance by joining the frontrunner fray. This speed duel played right into the hands of the master Givins — with a relaxed Squal Me Halo, he channeled his charge’s energy for the final turn for home in the nine furlong event.
In the perfect spot, Squal Me Halo had little ground to make up since he was only a couple lengths from the leaders. Macho Niner put up serious fight to take command by the top of the stretch, but couldn’t dig in to hold off a fresh challenger. Squal Me Halo put ‘Niner away, turning the tables on the champ after finishing fourth in his New Yorker.
Wonderfully, bliss’ Taking Risks (also a stalker) gave major chase, but ultimately ran out of real estate, falling short a half-length. It was the second time Taking Risks finished second to Squal Me Halo — the Forty Niner colt was bridesmaid to ‘Halo in the Chicago Derby(G1).
Middle Jewel runner-up Cader Ydris(IRE) faded to ninth in his second race in two weeks. Dougiec5’s racetime favorite Scotian Kid plain didn’t fire and was never a factor.
Final time for the distance was 1:47 3/5, a sweet 110 SP# for Squal Me Halo over a main track surface rated as ‘good.’ He’s now won 6-of-15 outings and boasts a whopping $1.17 million bankroll.