Balerion wire to wire in the Grade I Black Dread Awakens
Balerion took advantage of the lack of speed in the race, setting up slow early fractions that allowed him to score an easy win in the Grade I The Black Dread Awakens Stakes, the feature for this weekend at
There were very few alternatives in this event, with the winner taking the lead and eventually drawing off with up to six lengths. At the start, it was Rhodes Scholar and Brilliant who served as escorts. At the stretch, Balerion went on with his trouncing performance and although the largest shot on the board, Swampy Sturm, was gaining ground against him, the winner’s victory was in no danger at any moment. Swampy Sturm was a clear second and Savage Frontier picked up the show spot.
The time of the race was a pretty slow 2:02 for the mile and a quarter over the firm turf course.