Upset Winner in GR Distaff

It didn’t matter if this race was held in Oran or on a sandy beach in blinding sunlight, no one was going to stop To Live is to Die from pulling the upset in the GR Simsters Distaff.

Strong Achiever broke first and slowly outpaced Empire Reef who didn’t have it today in the twilight of her career. Sweetchildofmine and Wondergirl Extasy stalked a few lengths off Strong Achiever while Winter Dreams and To Live is to Die ran mid pack.

Wondergirl Extasy tried to make a move at the 5-furlong mark but didn’t have enough. Both Winter Dreams and To Live is to Die were rolling but it was clear jockey T Johnson had more run on the former. The one-time claimer turned GR BB Bowl Winner would not be denied as she surged toward the wire in the stretch. A late closing run by Awesomeseekngold caught Winter Dreams for the Place spot.

This race brought to mind Lemons are Forever’s win in the Kentucky Oaks. No one saw that daughter of Lemon Drop Kid winning and few saw this one impacting this race either. This 3yo filly has now won three straight and the 108 SF she posted was by far her career high. The winning time of 1:47 4/5, and the dominating 2 3/4 length win suggests she should be able to use this win as a springboard to future stakes victories. A benchmark win and an excellent claim from one of the aficionados of the claiming ranks MTK.