No Option Stakes

            The 1^st running of the No Option Stakes in Northern California drew a short field of four Saturday.  The main reason for the short field, most people believe around here, is that the O/T steered clear of the favorite Falling Sky.  Falling Sky had just posted a triple figure, while finishing third, in the Grade III Latonia Stakes one month before.  Falling Sky was also a winner of five of its ten races.  The only threat seemed to be from Captivating, but this race horse finished 5th in the same Latonia Stakes nearly four lengths behind Falling Sky.

At the start Good Cause tried run away from this short field, but was captured in the turn by the favorite Falling Sky.  These two battled around the turn nose to nose heading into the stretch.  Captivating, which had been sitting back watching the front runners burn up their energy, raced past Falling Sky in the stretch and driving home easily at 2 1/4 length BIG WIN.  Falling Sky had been the projected favorite but Captivating was primed and ready for this showdown earning a 96 speed rating in the race.  The question this reporter still has is Captivating a sprint horse or a miler? That question will have to be answered by O/T Peeps3 who now has its second stakes horse in its barn, Captivating joins Peeples as the other stakes winner.  

            This was a great first running of No Option Stakes at 7 furlongs for 3YO Fillies on the Turf.  It’s hoped that next year there will be another race and that more show up.

Expect Falling Sky to rebound from this heartbreaker and keep an eye on Captivating, especially if it runs in a mile.

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