Big Race Recaps 2769
Race: 2762.6315 Train Yard Special – Grade I – $450,000
Track:
Restrictions: Fillies and mares, 3 years old
Distance: A mile and one eighth on the Turf
The Train Yard Special turned out to be an upset special. 19-1maiden winner Evelin, lit up the tote board on her way to an easy win. Evelin pressed the early pace set by Chop Never Stops. Around the turn for home Evelin stuck a head in front and inched away the from Chop Never Stops all through the stretch to win by a length and three quarters. It was Evelin’s third career start and marks her as a filly to watch over the coming months.
Chop Never Stops set the early pace. She could not match the winner late but was good enough to hold the place. Getting’it made up ground through the stretch finishing third just two and a quarter lengths from the winner. Cosmo Girl ran a solid fourth her second race in as many weeks.
Race: 2762.0314 The Saturday Night Special – Grade I – $500,000
Track:
Restrictions: All horses, 4 years old and up
Distance: A mile and one sixteenth on the Turf
Beyer Beware looked like the major threat to the favored Xtremely a Fan and he proved to be much the best today. Beyer Beware was near the back early although never too far off the pace. When asked he moved quickly towards the front getting into contention near the top of the stretch. It was not easy though because Red Theatre (IRE) was also full of run and assumed the lead at the top of the stretch.
The battle began at the top of the stretch but by mid stretch it was clear Beyer Beware had a little more pulling away late to win by a length and three quarters. Red Theatre (IRE) had a strong showing today and on any other day it might have been good enough for the win. He stalked the early pace and had the jump on the closers at the top of the stretch running a very good race earning a second place finish five lengths ahead of the third place finisher Monkidle. Monkidle used a good stalking trip to earn the show.
Race: 2769.0915 Sweet Nanette Stakes – Grade I – $400,000
Track:
Restrictions: Fillies and mares, 3 years old
Distance: One mile on the Dirt
Unbridled Mistress was very impressive stalking and pouncing. She was pressing the early pace sitting just off two other runners through solid fractions. She moved forward along the back stretch eventually taking command around the turn for home. Through the stretch she held strong finishing as well as she started earning her a pretty easy looking grade I win. Unbridled Mistress finished two lengths clear of her nearest competitor.
Fame and Fortune was one of the early favorites. She found her self a little further off the pace and with many more horses to pass than usual but she was up to the task. She made a solid move going from ninth to third in short fashion and picking up the chase shortly after that in second. She just could not make up enough ground to threaten the leader in the end. You Can’t Catch Me set the early pace and held well enough through the stretch to earn the show five and a half lengths from the winner.
Race: 2769.0214 Fountain of Ute – Grade II – $200,000
Track:
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old
Distance: A mile and one sixteenth on the Dirt
Kisaran rockets into the top twenty three year olds with a fantastic win here in the Fountain of Ute. He now has six wins in nine starts. This son of Gone West stalked the early pace in third about a length and a half off the early pace. The early pace was supplied by Tale of Auror who held a short lead through the first half of the race and shook clear around the turn for home.
Kisaran picked up the chase in second gaining some ground on Tale of Auror. Tale though looked like a winner at the top of the stretch. As the rail opened up for Kisaran he moved up and these two locked horns for much of the stretch for a thrilling stretch dual. Mean while from the very back of the pack Chinedu Hollandia was unleashing her closing move and running like a runaway freight train. As the wire neared Kisaran edged clear for a quarter length win. Chinedu Hollandia won the photo finish for second from Tale of Auror in a very close race. Look for these three in the weeks to come.
Race: 2769.0515 Risen Star Stakes – Grade III – $125,000
Track:
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old
Distance: A mile and one sixteenth on the Dirt
Two of the favorites battled it out in the Risen Star. Alastor continued his run of good races giving Squirtle Squirt a
Giant Run (IRE) ran a solid race stalking in third. He has assumed the lead in the stretch only to get run down by the winner. It was the kind of race he can build on so look for him to be a player this spring. Third went to Death Alley Driver who closed from well out of it getting the slight nod of third over Cash is King.
Race: 2769.4116 The
Track:
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old
Distance: A mile and three sixteenths on the Dirt
Virtuoso wins his second straight solidifying his status as a Bluegrass Derby contender. It was a close race but once the runners were in the stretch Virtuoso seemed to have the race measured and moved up grabbing the lead during the late stages finishing well within himself. He closed from nearly eleven lengths off the pace which is very impressive. You have to worry though later this spring he will face good front runners that will not allow you to make up that much ground.
Long shot The Great Wells used a handy stalking trip and assumed the lead in the stretch. He was poised for an upset in the early stages and ran on well making Virtuoso work for the victory. In Perfect Stride ran a quietly good race. He also closed from well off the pace and just kept making up ground all the way through the stretch getting the show.