Small Field Provides Thriller in Celine Stakes

Despite the small field of only six runners, the Grade 2 Celine Stakes proved to be an exciting contest from start to finish, with a wall of horses jumping together in a military precision line prior, to the intriguing battle down the home stretch and the final tight but impressive victory by Briseida.

On jumping there was a line of five with nothing between them, and all the jockeys stubbornly retained their positions for a couple of furlongs until cooler heads finally prevailed. Retribution Angel, drawn the widest, had her head in front early, and Jackson’s tactics in refusing to yield an inch would have repercussions in the final surge for the wire. River of Souls, one off the rail, kept the leader working hard for the first quarter mile before nosing ahead herself. Sacrificial had no intention of surrendering the rail and used plenty of energy in ensuring nothing crossed her in the early stages. Ten Year Storm had the middle running in the line of five, and wasn’t giving away any sort of advantage in her attempt to resurrect her worrisome slump, while Lewis on Briseida, four wide, had obviously been instructed to ensure the opposition gained no early break. Big Money was the only runner to show restraint, weather by design or simply by lack of early pace.

Moving down the back stretch and a little sanity came into play. River of Souls gained the ascendancy, finally moving across to the fence with a clear lead. Retribution Angel, keeping with her, got closer to the rail, while did Briseida sat patiently between them.

By the time they reached the final bend a couple of things became abundantly clear. Eclipse Award winner Ten Year Storm has no future on the grass, and Graded races are for Graded horses, as Sacrificial was shortening stride, and Big Money was drifting further away from the big money.

Into the stretch and it was a race in three, although Retribution Angel was showing signs of distress following the wide early run and for a few strides it looked as though Briseida would break away for a comfortable win, River of Souls was far from spent, however, and refused to yield. Briseida wrestled the lead with more than a furlong to go, but could not shake of the dogged River of Souls. It was Lewis at his best, holding the Rioja trained Briseida together and coaxing her to the line a head in front of a gallant River of Souls.

Retribution Angel hung on solidly for third, three lengths from the winner.

Ten Year Storm’s class saw her hang on for fourth, but she was beaten nearly fifteen lengths, giving worried connections plenty to ponder.

Sacrificial ran out of condition against higher classed opposition, but collected yet another handy paycheck.

Big Money never featured.

Briseida is a three year old daughter of Pulpit based on Glamour (Sadler’s Wells / Busted). This was her sixth win from ten starts and lifts her earnings above $290,000. She ran the eight and a half furlongs in 1.42.4 and returned a speed rating of 101. Previous rated # 134 in her division, this win elevates her to # 20.

Roija is a member of the 31 barn “Rafa”, this stable being an active supporter of Hispano Parlante. Briseida is the higest earner in the barn, predominantly filled with lightly raced two and three year olds. Homebred four year old Zandak, the oldest member of the barn, is the other six figure earner in the stable.

Those who took up the suggestion to box the placegetters in the trifecta were rewarded with a handy $112.70