Lonesome Cowboy Bert Special G1 New York Recap

Lonesome Cowboy Bert Special G1 New York Recap

  The debut of this Grade 1 event was a huge success and I have to say it was a big day for yours truly, Otis Taylor who had the 10.60 winner, the 45.70 exacta cold, plus my little wheel bet also picked up the 470.00 tri. Needless to say I am giving the BTB a pass on paying for my expenses this week.  The limo home, champagne toasts and Peter Luger’s dinner in Brooklyn are on me. Quite a party I had for those with me at this awesome spectical in the city that never sleeps, and believe me, after this race, there was no sleep.  Anyway on to the race itself…

    If you read my race preview you got a very good feel for the way this race would go. http://blacktypebugler.com/?artid=5992 

   An early battle for the lead involved  Lenny’s Simple Passing who in fact made the lead after breaking alertly but unfortunately for him he was pressured relentlessly. Those applying the main chase to the pace included Afc’s Crane Mountain and Gcutty’s Dixieland Dooter. Those three set some steppy early fractions while main threat Rock Hard Korn chilled about 3 back biding his time under a very patient and skilful ride. Around the six furlong mark Simple Passing was cooked and rallying from as many as 12 back was the late kicking Well Groomed.  Before Well Groomed could get back into striking range the big son of Rock Hard Ten threw the switch himself and powerd right by the laboring Crane Mountain and gritty Dixlieland Dooter to make a lead Rock Hard Korn would never relinquish. Also moving late and putting in a big run for 4^th was the lightly raced Mattress trainee ATKTZIN.  Well Groomed might have been the best on another day but his ferocious late charge would only be good enough for second today and the game Dixieland Dooter held on for a “big run” third.  

  Rock Hard Korn looks like a solid chance to run back here in the Test of Champions in four weeks.  His trainer Korn would not comment on his charges future plans saying “he just wanted to enjoy today”, but we could not have helped wondering if Korn was feeling his horse should have run in the Bluegrass Derby last week. His 99 spf for a first time at 11f certainly has to have, on papaer at least, in the mix for tops in this three year old division.  Well Groomed’s excellent second did have Super3 thinking big thoughts, thanks in part to his style and 97 spf for 11 clicks could not have hurt the confidence any.  “He definitely wants more track, anyone could see that, but as to his next race; well, we need to sit down and hash that all out still.”  The pace setters Simple Passing and Crane Mountain have excuses but may well not want this much track.  One to keep an eye in the future is Atktzin, who may just have needed this race to realize he likes running with the big boys.

 I for one said last week during my conversation with super trainer Squirrel that Rock Hard Korn would have been a top 3 choice for me in the Derby, so his performance here is just a validation of those thoughts.  I think no matter what happens down in Maryland next week, the winner will need to deal with top two from this race next month. Congratulations to all the connection who entered because it was a great race and one that is sure to become a fan favorite over the years to come. I know I will be marking the anniversary of my biggest payday ever on the calendar for an annual celebration.

Also ran:

Hippie Grass- PP 7 ML 10-1 Jockster2 Broke badly, laid back never fired

Telesio- PP 6 ML 9-1 Socalman Found his spot, dull, but evenly

Red Buda- PP 1 ML 14-1  Joanneb Tracked pace, hung, ran better than odds

Andromeda’s Band- PP 12 ML 7-1  33across Too far back, lost touch

Ektoskeleton.- PP 10 ML 33-1 DB2 In deep, never really hurried

Sky Happy- PP 4 ML 10-1 Lodog20 Close up, involved, used too much too soon