‘Talented’ colt emerges as threat in handicap division with huge win

The older male dirt classic division was served with notice of a newcomer to the elite ranks after The Green Felt romped in the G1 New Hampshire Handicap Saturday. The 4yo colt was looking good training up the race, but racegoers weren’t sure he was the real deal in his first G1 start, and installed him as an 8-1 bet. Respect, but not the kind given to the likes of prerace fave Fly For Buda or 2006 winner Call Of the Wild II. Despite the question marks, The Green Felt came through with a shocker of a 3+ length win to show he’s one of the best older dirt horses in the sim.

 

Fitting Solution set the pace, jumping for the lead and holding it through the third call. He was followed by Gracepointe Prayer and Fly for Buda, with the youngster Our Tribe heading up the pack and Call of the Wild II settling in fifth for most of the race. Filly Armed With Money went straight for the back of the field, a couple lengths behind Act Of God. The Green Felt sat coolly in eighth through the first half, with Privileged nearby.

 

At the third call, The Green Felt was already flying. He was up in fourth and gaining ground fast on Fly For Buda. Gracepoint Prayer briefly looked the winner, but gave way to The Green Felt’s dominant stretch run. Privileged snuck up with a solid late run for second. Salutations overtook Fly For Buda in the final strides to run third.

 

The Green Felt went under the wire 3 1/4 lengths in front. He was awarded a 113SP for the race, which was run in 1:47.1, just two ticks off the stakes record. His earnings more than doubled to $618k, and he jumped up the divisional rankings to #12. Congrats to The Green Felt and trainer Talented.