As the pre-race comments suggested there was a hotly contested battle for control of the early pace, trainer sparadise’s KIAMA TYSEA grabbed the early lead but only a neck separated the leader and trainer tnilsson’s PANDEJOS at the 4-furlong call. Stalking the lead duo, just 1 length back was trainer sandownred’s CRYPTO ME, tracking the front trio 4-5 lengths back was a group consisting of trainer beerkeg’s FANCY LIKE, trainer deyoto9’s DUNRAVEN STOKE and trainer chatham05’s KIAMA AGILITY. The morning line favorite trainer tootees BEST INJECT, expected to be a part of the lead dual was shuffled back to 9th and obviously was not flashing his usual front running speed.
At 7 furlongs, PANDEJOS took over the lead, but just a scant 1 length back DUNRAVEN STOKE and KIAMA AGILITY were rallying on the outside of the track and it looked like it wouldn’t be long before they’d overhaul the new leader. KIAMA TYSEA, the early leader was back to 4th but obviously fading from the fast early pace. Trainer atw’s KYROCK had moved into 5th from 8th, with CRYPTO ME 6th but struggling to keep pace. Trainer peeps4’s AT DEATH’S DOOR and trainer foxon’s STRUCTURAL DAMAGES, who were both charging hard from the rear early were now 7th and 8th respectively.
If the race were 8 1/2 furlongs PANDEJOS might have held on because at 9 furlongs DUNRAVEN STOKE took over 1st with KIAMA AGILITY right on his heels. DUNRAVEN STOKE’s lead lasted 2 furlongs, with KIAMA AGILITY wearing him down in the final 100 yards to nail him just before the wire. DUNRAVEN STOKE barely held on for 2nd as STRUCTURAL DAMAGES flew through the stretch and was only 3/4 length away from winning it all. AT DEATH’S DOOR drove home 4th and late rallying ICE SPIKE passed all the tired runners to earn the 5th and final cash award!
The win was KIAMA AGILITY’S 4th in a row and added a Grade-1 victory on the heels of an impressive win in the Grade-2 Derby Stud Trail. KIAMA AGILITY now has earnings of over $3.9 million in just 7 lifetime starts!
RACE CHART w/comments … in FINISH order:
KIAMA AGILITY … lead pack early, tracked pace to 6 furlongs, took lead final furlong, all out hold on to win
DUNRAVEN STOKE … lead pack early, determined move at 9 furlongs for lead, caught late, held on well for 2nd
STRUCTURAL DAMAGES … near the rear 18th early, furious rally at 7 furlongs, running fastest at finish line, just missed win
AT DEATH’S DOOR … rear pack early, steady rally from 6 furlongs to wire, easily best of the rest
ICE SPIKE … rear pack early, reserved until 6 furlongs, steady surge passed tired runners for 5th
PANDEJOS … pressured early leader in 2nd, took lead at 7 furlongs, held on gamely, tired badly final 2 furlongs
KYROCK … mid pack early, steady even rally into contention at 7 furlongs, no late rally when urged
LIGHTEN ROCK … near the rear 19th early, conceded 14 lengths, rallied willingly but couldn’t reach contention
I AM SWEEPER COTC … 20th, last early, conceded 17 lengths, rallied willingly but couldn’t reach contention
KIAMA TYSEA … early leader, fast from gate, set the pace to 6 furlongs, tried hard but steady fade final 4 furlongs
INNOCENT SON … mid pack early, even paced effort, couldn’t improve position, faded late
TETE MARTYRIUM … mid pack early, in contact to 6 furlongs, no stretch response faded late
BLOODY CHUFFED … rear pack early, minor rally at 6 furlongs, gained positions but lost ground late
KNIGHT OF PLUNDER … rear mid pack early, never gained ground; slow steady fade final 4 furlongs
YOZE KEJEE … mid pack 13th early, never found best stride; slow steady fade final 8 furlongs
CRYPTO ME … lead pack 3rd early, prominent to 6 furlongs, faded badly late from early pace efforts
FANCY LIKE … lead pack early, tracked pace well to 5 furlongs, lost contact at 7 furlongs, exhausted late
HARDERTHANITHASTOB … rear mid pack early, never really found racing gear, faded from 4 furlongs to finish
BEST INJECT … tracked pace in 6th early, lost contact after 5 furlongs, faded badly final 6 furlongs
OMEGA FUN … rear pack early, never threatened, lost ground and positions faded to rear