Ab Fab-ulous

Any day can be a good day when the #1 ranked sprinter pays $12.40 on a $2 bet to win.

Everyone’s plans (just mine?) took a hit when speedball Rexton first broke a step slow and then stayed there, rating in third with unexpected kindness while Mambo Me and Grand Thievery battled it out on the lead.  The others strung out behind, with seven-year-old Act of Brave bringing up the early lead.

The first three furlongs and change went in that same style, and then N. Painter flashed the whip at Rexton and nearly found himself left in the dirt as his mount switched the afterburners on.  That one kicked clear, and farther back Ab Fab was closing hard, with Act of Brave flying from the back and picking up Seeking to Rule and Jumping Sal as he went.

But no one was catching the big horse: Ab Fab was still drawing off when he crossed the wire in front.  Rexton stayed on strong in second, with Act of Brave closing fast and just plain running out of room.  Seeking to Rule and Jumping Sal rode his slipstream to the smaller checks.

Co-favorite Diabolical Prince and Grass Cat ran evenly, with Mambo Me coming in just under the three-digit barrier. Pequin Cat, Acedo, and Barny the Drunk never factored in, while Grand Thievery burned himself out and three-year-old Aljander(Ire) could not contend.