Count Fleet Turns Into ‘Reality’ Show

Despite the presence of other early speed in a race with several quality closers, champions4‘s sprinting star Polish Reality buckled down and went wire-to-wire in a hugely impressive Grade I win on Saturday in the Count Fleet in Upper New York.

As expected, Post Oak Bluff (the only filly in the field), U Still Turn Me On, and Flying Wild all tried to go with Polish Reality, and all were within 2 lengths of the leader at the halfway mark. As they straightened out for the stretch run though, the closers kicked into gear to get after the front pack. Act Of Brave, Blazing Glory, Sulphur(IRE), and Carnival Of Souls, who were laying 10th, 9th, 8th, and 7th respectively at the halfway mark all charged up together. Act of Brave made up the biggest gap, closing from 11 1/4 lengths off to finish a still-well-beaten 4 back (getting the show money), and Carnival Of Souls made a big move in deep stretch, but couldn’t quite get the winner, missing just a length and a half, to finish 2nd. Sulphur also closed well late to get 4th, and after a nice first move, Blazing Glory flattened out in deep stretch to round out the top five, beaten 6 lengths.

Polish Reality edged closer to being the third active millionaire in the champions4 barn, his winnings bringing him to over $891,000 in his 26 race career. It also moved him up to the 6th ranked older horse dirt sprinter. It was his 5th win in his last 7 tries, the other 2 being barely-beaten 2nd place finishes. There may be higher rated sprinters in the game, but right now, there doesn’t seem to be any hotter than this guy.