Miscalculation and Taking The Rap Fight Out Tight Yanta Snez
Miscalculation lined up as favorite for the Yanta Snez Stakes, heading a field as evenly balanced as could be wished for. She came into the race as the only runner with an unblemished record, and greeted the judge with that record still intact, but not before the fanatical trained filly was given a serious run for her money by the gallant runner-up, Taking the Rap.
As expected, there was a charge for the early lead, with five runners coveting the position of pace setter. Terri Irwin, drawn the widest, put her nose in front from Storm Forecast, who had no trouble securing the running rail, and who had held a slender lead in the first furlong. Sandwiched between them came three others, Bassett Girl, four wide, Aurora At Sea, settling one off the rail, and Stormlear between them. Silver City Girl looked for a spot behind that line, but could not cross as she couldn’t clear Dream Thief. Miscalculation was keeping the leaders in sight, while Taking The Rap was camped on the favorite’s neck. Incredible Cause, Derelect Noonan, Just One Breath, Pomeroy’s Quest and Storm E Mesa were all content to ease off the pace and await their chances.
No sooner had the racecaller worked his way through the field than the race began to get serious. Taking the Rap was first to move, advancing alongside and then ahead of Miscalculation, but G. Kernutt on the top pick was not to be bullied. He answered the challenge as the two of them, side by side set off in pursuit of the leaders. Silver City Gal was making ground with them, but not with quite the same momentum. Meanwhile Terri Irwin had won the charge of the light brigade, and was asserting herself almost in a direct attempt to make this writer look foolish. After all, she was the only runner given a hard time in the race preview. I was beginning to feel an apology coming on. The other four leaders were showing various signs of pressure. Stormlear was first to throw in the towel, Aurora At Sea, Bassett Girl and Storm Forecast were giving their all, but becoming besieged. Incredible Cause and Pomeroy’s Quest were taking big strides from the rear and Dream Thief looked to be plodding.
By the time they straightened Terri Irwin had stolen a march. She’d opened up a length and a quarter from Storm Forecast, battling away but being challenged. Taking the Rap and Miscalculation looked to be more interested in each other than their pursuit of the leader and Pomeroy’s Quest was stretching out behind them, while Silver City Gal was still there and Incredible Cause was closing without looking a genuine threat. Half way down the running and Miscalculation and Taking the Rap had caught Terri Irwin. Miscalculation had a neck on Taking the Rap, but the crowd rose as Taking the Rap began to close that slender gap. Stride by stride to the wire, and in another bound the result may have been reversed, but at the judge and Miscalculation gained the photo verdict in the narrowest of margins. There had been no more than half a length between the two exciting fillies throughout the race, and they gave the crowd what they had come for. A most exciting finish.
Pomeroy’s Quest registered the fastest final sectionals to run home third, a length and a quarter from the winner
Terri Irwin was trapped wide and ran a great race. I promise never to underestimate her again
Incredible Cause made solid ground to take home the minor payout.
Silver City Gal ran a consistent race and was unlucky to go home empty handed.
Aurora At Sea was prominent for a long way.
Dream Thief was thereabouts early, but couldn’t find that next gear.
Storm E Mesa made a little ground from the rear.
Storm Forecast and Bassett Girl faded to finish tenth and twelfth
Just One Breath, eleventh and Derelect Noonan, thirteenth, raced rearwards throughout.
Stormlear faded to last but was far from disgraced, beaten just sixth lengths in a high pressure race.
Miscalculation is a three year old Scratchbred daughter of Unbridled’s Song / A.P. Indy / Storm Cat. This was her fourth win from just four starts and lifts her earnings above $260,000. She ran the seven furlongs in 1.23.0 and returned a speed rating of 95. Previous rated # 88 in her division, this win elevates her to # 12.
Fanatical is a member of the 11 stable “Circusham Stables”, with a number of fellow stables active supporters of GR Simsters. There are just six horses in the recently established barn, which boasts an impressive six winners from just 38 starters. Miscalculation is the star of the lightly raced batch of three and four year olds, while another scratchdred daughter of Unbridled’s Song, Licorice Drop, is showing potential as a winner from only two runs.