Big Race Recap 3147
Ermington Pegasus, Degoldenstorm, and Rapid Grey dominate this past weekend. If you are a fan of horses who appear capable of dominating this summer these three look to be well on their way. We has some minor upsets in the other two races lets get to it.
Race: 3147.5315 John Scott Appreciation Stakes – Grade I – $1,000,000
Track:
Restrictions: All horses, 4 years old and up
Distance: A mile and one half on the Turf
In a race this evenly matched the out come was bound to come down to who gets the best trip. Jumpin Java took advantage of a good post position, a great stalking trip just off the pace setter who set a slow pace. That was exactly what he needed to hold off champion Sunnybank Memorial.
Nearing the turn for home Jumpin Java moved up and assumed the lead. His move was early but it was a smart move as he took a two length lead into the stretch. Sunnybank Memorial was near the back of the pack early but only seven and a half lengths off the early pace. He had to deal with a bit of traffic and by the time he was in the clear at the top of the stretch he was still a little over five lengths behind Jumpin Java. Jumpin Java held sway through the stretch to win by two lengths over Sunnybank Memorial.
Sunnybank Memorial gained too little ground too late on Java and had to settle for second. Still he finished nearly seven lengths clear of the third place finisher Confederacy. Confederacy set the pace today but had nothing left in the tank towards the end of the race. He had no response for the top two, however he held third over the rest of the field.
Race: 3147.0115
Track:
Restrictions: Fillies and mares, 3 years old
Distance: A mile and one sixteenth on the Dirt
A long shot takes the California Oaks. Zarallana (IRE) at 10-1 rebounded from a ninth place finish in the G2 Davola Dane South to score a victory in this G1. The ending speed figures for this race were less than expected and that might have been due to a slower pace.
Waki Slam jumped out and set the pace as expected as she made her first run in a route race. She slowed the pace down nicely with Zarallana stalking in second a length and three quarters away. All the Riches mean while was near the back of the pack but only seven and a half lengths off the early pace. As the race heated up around the turn Zarallana moved up and challenged Waki Sam on the lead as they separated themselves from the rest of the field. The deep closers were getting geared up in the back of the pace with All the Riches leading the way getting to within five lengths of the top two by the top of the stretch. The jump on the closers was all Zarallana would need as she put Waki Slam away by mid stretch and coasted home unthreatened by the closers to a two length win. All the Riches closed well in the stretch to get second. Waki Slam held on to third with a determined run finishing two and three quarter lengths behind the winner.
Race: 3147.0114
Track:
Restrictions: All horses, 4 years old and up
Distance: A mile and one quarter on the Dirt
Ermington Pegasus asserted his dominance over his rivals on this day. Ermington took this opportunity to serve notice to all the older handicap horses. Avoid him if at all possible because he is going to be a monster! Ermington was mid pack early although not far off the pace just four lengths back from a bad outside post. That mattered not as he powered his way to the front around the turn for home. He entered the stretch with a one length lead and powered home winning by two and a quarter lengths. He posted an impressive 117-speed figure with this awe inspiring performance.
Alina Dancer was the only other runner to appear remotely capable of keeping up with Ermington Pegasus. He was towards the back of the pack early sitting in ninth position but was less than six lengths off the pace. He moved through the field well and was fourth at the top of the stretch two and a quarter lengths behind Ermington Pegasus. He managed to keep pace with the winner in the stretch where he finished second almost six lengths in front of the third and fourth place finishers.
Buddha’s Undies closed from the back of the pack to catch Laconia Light at the wire for the third place nod. Laconia Light stalked the early pace from second and just could not hold off the closing Buddha’s Undies. Neither were threats to the winner but despite that both earned nice speed figures.
Race: 3147.5015 Godzilla vs The World Turf Classic – Grade I – $500,000
Track:
Restrictions: All horses, 4 years old and up
Distance: A mile and one quarter on the Turf
Rapid Grey appears to have found his favorite distance and thumps this solid group of turf runners. He is now three for three at this distance with no one really coming close to him in those three tries. He has won all these races by more than two lengths and this past weekend he won this one by three lengths.
Rapid Grey was where he usually is in races near the back more than eleven lengths off the early pace. When asked he responded flying toward the front getting into contention quickly. At the top of the stretch he was six and a half lengths from the leader. He inhaled the leaders quickly and put three lengths on them by the time he crossed the finish line.
Dela Groom T ran a great race. He stalked the early pace from third, moved up to take the lead around the turn for home. In fact Dela Groom T had what appeared to be a commanding two and a half length lead into the stretch putting away everyone in the field but Rapid Grey. He finished second three lengths behind the winner but he was almost nine lengths in front of the third place finisher Gallic Charm (FR). Gallic Charm stalked the early pace from fourth, and just managed to out last the rest of the field to the wire to hold third.
Race: 3147.0214 Fountain of Ute – Grade II – $200,000
Track:
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old
Distance: A mile and one sixteenth on the Dirt
Degoldenstorm is doing what no other Breeder’s Bowl Juvenile winner has done before him. He is clearly the leading three year old as we make our way to the Bluegrass Derby. He has won both of his three year old starts thus far with improving speed figures. The only question he will need to answer is distance but at this point there is no reason to doubt his ability.
Degoldenstorm stalked the early pace set by Henianlaunch. Henianlaunch got loose on the lead a bit scooting clear by more than two lengths at one point. Degoldenstorm slowly moved up to Henianlaunch as the two separated themselves from the rest of the field. As they entered the stretch Degoldenstorm hit his high gear and went by Henianlaunch with little trouble winning by a length and three quarters. Henianlaunch stayed on well after being passed to hold on to second four lengths ahead of the third place finisher.
Third went to the deep closing Gramid (CAN) who was twelve and a half lengths behind the pace setter in the early stages. He closed well but never seriously threatened finishing six lengths behind the winner.