Big Race Recap 2853

Race: 2853.0815 Maryland Special Handicap – Grade I – $750,000
Track: Maryland
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old and up
Distance: A mile and three sixteenths on the Dirt

Unprecedented runs them off the track on his way to his first victory past a mile and an eighth. It really was not much of a stretch for this very talented runner to get the distance. He has won multiple grade one races at a mile and an eighth. Today he stalked the pace in fifth, launched his bid around the turn for home, assumed the lead entering the stretch and pulled away to a two length victory. Unprecedented made it look easy.

Political Patriot stalked just off of Unprecedented and moved with him around the turn for home. Political Patriot was strong through the stretch but could only match strides with the winner earning the place. Silver Canuck stalked the pace in second and maintained a steady drive through the stretch to finish third.  

Race: 2853.0715 Chicago Derby – Grade I – $500,000
Track: Illinois
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old
Distance: A mile and one eighth on the Dirt

Globogym closed from second last scoring a big two and a quarter length win. In what some might call the year old the closer in the three year old division another late runner wins a grade I race. The pace was set here by Searching the Sky (IRE). He was under pressure the entire trip but lead the field into the stretch. Blue Fer Sure was in mid pack and making a move into contention at the top of the stretch.

Globogym meanwhile was over eleven lengths behind the pace setter early closed seven and a half lengths in the stretch blowing by Blue Fer Sure and pace setter Searching the Sky (IRE). Blue Fer Sure made a move that wins most races but was just not good enough today finishing second. Searching the Sky (IRE) was stubborn in the stretch holding on for third.   

Race: 2853.5314 South Astralian Cup – Grade I – $400,000
Track: Victoria
Restrictions: All horses, 4 years old and up
Distance: Two miles on the Dirt

Pharao’s Tornado (IRE) ran one of those big speed figures that he is capable of and winning by an impressive four and a quarter lengths. The Pharao was second last early nearly twelve lengths off the early pace. He started a steady drive through the field and by the time the runners entered the stretch he had only two runners to pass. He picked it up a notch in the stretch and easily moved passed the rest of the field and pulled away.

21-1 long shot Castle Bridge (IRE) sat in mid pack early on in the race. He made a bid through traffic and into the stretch but had no answer for the winner. He would hold second almost two lengths clear of the third place finisher. Flygroom’s Goldie attempted to follow Castle Bridge through traffic and did a good enough job of keeping up to earn the show six lengths behind the winner.

Race: 2853.5015 Rising Sun Spring Cup – Grade I – $1,000,000
Track: Japan
Restrictions: All horses, 4 years old and up
Distance: Seven furlongs on the Turf

The big gun turf sprinters had a large purse to chase. In looking at the results it does make one wonder if post position played a factor in the out come. Once Haunted had post position four and used that inside post to perfection. He got away from the gates quickly and went right to the front and was on the rail. He shook clear early maintaining over a length cushion the entire trip pulling away to a two length win in the end.

Kiki’s Solid Rock was probably a little taken back when Once Haunted gunned for the lead. Kiki stayed away from a pace duel stalking Once Haunted. Night’s Desire broke from the thirteen hole and stalked off the pace in third while General’s Chariot was relegated to the fourteen hole. The runners broke first, second, third and fourth and finished the race the exact same way. The outside horses had a bit of a wide trip and that was all the leverage Once Haunted needed to secure his first grade I win.