Big Race Recap 2783

Race: 2783.0114 California Handicap – Grade I – $1,000,000
Track: California
Restrictions: All horses, 4 years old and up
Distance: A mile and one quarter on the Dirt

Welcome Laconia Light as a top handicap horse. In a bit of an upset this son of A.P. Indy scored his first grade I win. With only fifteen career starts he has the look of a runner that will probably be around all year long in this division. Laconia Light used a great stalking trip to perfection to score the victory.

Laconia Light sat fourth early on about five lengths off the pace. Around the turn for home he swallowed up the leaders and had a short lead entering the stretch. Sinanju was second last early almost thirteen lengths off the pace. Sinanju unleashed his move with a half mile to go and made steady ground on the leaders. Entering the stretch Sinanju was sixth about six lengths behind Laconia Light.

Sinanju kept closing ground like the energizer bunny. Laconia Light was under mild urging and nearly got caught sleeping at the wire as Sinanju just kept going getting to within a half length of Laconia Light at the wire. It was another five lengths back to Wizard of Westwood in third.   

Race: 2783.5315 John Scott Appreciation Stakes – Grade I – $1,000,000
Track: Victoria
Restrictions: All horses, 4 years old and up
Distance: A mile and one half on the Turf

This one turned out to be just what everyone loves to see. The two big boys running strong through the stretch. The bargain bred Pepe’s Pipes set the early pace in this race. Sunnybank Memorial was mid pack early about ten lengths off the early pace, while Horseshoe Bay was nearly sixteen lengths back. Both of the big guns fired today as they started their assault on the pace setter.

Pep’s Pipes lead into the stretch, Sunnybank Memorial was quickly upon him and assumed the lead. Horseshoe Bay was in full flight eating up ground like Pac Man eats up the dots. In mid stretch Sunnybank was clinging to the lead and Horseshoe was full of run and went by Sunnybank in deep stretch earning a two and a half length lead. Sunnybank Memorial was second, the scrappy bargain Pepe’s Pipes held third.

Race: 2783.0115 California Oaks – Grade I – $400,000
Track: California
Restrictions: Fillies and mares, 3 years old
Distance: A mile and one sixteenth on the Dirt

From the man who once upon a time brought us ‘Picks from Above” meet Armed With Money. The deep closing Armed With Money screamed from the back of the pack upsetting the number two ranked filly and scoring her first grade I win and second graded win in as many starts. The pace was quick in this race as most of the runners found themselves well off the pace. Armed With Money was very last fourteen and half lengths off the early pace.

Wango Tango set that wicked pace and had the lead entering the stretch. As the closers took position in the stretch It was Whip Smart that had moved into second around the turn and had first run on the pace setter. Wally’s Dehere was not too far behind and Armed With Money had made up a little ground around the turn for home and then hit the nitrous in the stretch.

Whip Smart gobbled up the pace setter in mid stretch but the lead was short lived as the dragster like Armed With Money screamed by everyone to leave no doubt who the winner was going to be. In the late jumps Wally’s Dehere got up for the pace over Whip Smart.