Big Race Recap 3119
There was some great action this weekend. Magical Mia is in a great groove right now, Rapid Grey got his year off to a good start and the turf sprinters Cronus (IRE) and Hell on Earth provided a great finish. Lets get to last weeks action.
Race: 3119.5001 Ferdichenko Cup – Grade II – $250,000
Track:
Restrictions: All horses, 4 years old and up
Distance: A mile and one half on the Turf
No surprises in the Ferdichenko Cup as Rapid Grey takes care of business. He was the heavy favorite going into the race and he ran like he knew he was the best. He settled well off the pace set by Darkdoun (IRE). Rapid Grey casually loped along seventeen lengths behind the pace before unfurling his late charge to the front.
The field was pretty spread out in the early stages but as they entered the stretch the front runner Darkdoun (IRE) was slowing down while everyone else was catching up. Rapid Grey flew by in deep stretch winning by three and a half lengths at the wire. The real race was for second where four horses finished a quarter length apart. Total Chaos who stalked the early pace from second out lasted the charge of Barb’s Rosebud for second. Barb’s Rosebud had to settle for third while four place was Darkdoun (IRE) was only a quarter length back with Freeze (NZ) for fourth a fifth.
Race:3119.0216 Sheik Yerbouti – Grade II – $250,000
Track:
Restrictions: All horses, 4 year olds
Distance: Seven furlongs on the Turf
The two horses that looked best suited to taking advantage of a quick pace did just that. Cronus (IRE) and Hell on Earth were the most experienced consistent off the pace runners in the field. The pace was quick with Egg Nog jumping to the lead out breaking some very fast runners. Hell on Earth got a near perfect stalking trip mid pack about four and a half lengths off the early pace. Cronus (IRE) was further back in seventh about nine lengths off the pace.
The pace was quick and as the field headed into the stretch and the closers where getting cranked up as Hell on Earth and Cronus (IRE) had moved within striking distance sitting fifth and sixth. Hell on Earth had first crack at Egg Nog who was tiring but stubborn. Cronus (IRE) on his flank as the two moved up quickly. It took until deep stretch for Hell on Earth and Cronus (IRE) to over take the stubborn pace setter. Cronus (IRE) had that little extra in the stretch catching Hell on Earth near the wire to win by a half length. Hell on Earth settled for second with the stubborn Egg Nog holding third.
Race: 3119.2216 The Lets Play Too Stakes – Grade II – $250,000
Track:
Restrictions: Fillies and mares, 4 years old and up
Distance: A mile and five eighths on the Turf
Magical Mia takes a big step towards stardom downing an eclipse winner in impressive fashion. Cold Storage the Breeder’s Bowl Turf Distaff winner really never got going in this event. Magical Mia has now run her win streak to seven in a row. Her last two have been graded races and for the first time in her career she has to be considered among the top runners in her division. She is five and this was race twenty-eight for her so she is no spring chicken, although she does appear to be in her prime.
Mia settled mid pack in the early stages about seven lengths off the pace setters. When prompted she picked up the pace and was only three quarters of a length from the lead horse entering the stretch. She took over quickly and with a steady drive earned a length and a half victory over a game Stop the Groom T. Stop the Groom T sat fourth in the early stages stalking the pace. She moved up to take the lead entering the stretch, a move in most races that would bring home a win. She was out paced in the stretch.