Gravestone Cap Recap

Gravestone Cap Recap

Grade III

A mile and one sixteenth

Fast Dirt

$125,000

All horses, 3 years old and up

It looked to be a strong field, and it was, with the first five finishers posting 110-plus speed numbers.  It was AUTOMATION coming out on top, showing his last race was a fluke while running the best of his life.  He grabbed the lead right away against a field with some significant speed horses, then did not relinquish it despite strong late surges from MANIUS THE MIGHTY and A.P. PRECEDENT.  The former showed continued maturation as a racehorse, stalking a perfect trip and taking his rally to the winner.  A.P. PRECEDENT made a nifty move on the turn and was only two lengths from the winner.  SPANIARD(KY) and MALACHI CONSTANT waited longer and came running from way back in the stretch for creditable top five finishes.  SPEIGHTSBAND had good position and ran his race but was beaten by a good bunch.  ALYCZAR did not have his usual speed and ran evenly throughout, though only good for seventh.  ANCESTRAL VISION(KY) didn’t have his usual late kick, and MR.EKO(IRE) might have had traffic problems finding a stalking position.  THE LAKE EFFECT had nothing left for the stretch drive.  EPHRATA(PA) looked overmatched.  Breeders Bowl winner HALF A WORLD AWAY showed good speed but tired badly as the closers passed him.  HENIANLAUCH(KY) challenged the leader for six furlongs and tired.  IN PERFECT STRIDE belied his name, broke in a tangle, never got close and was eased.