Theological (AUS) Disappoints; Praetorian Prefect By Two

At post time of the Golden Platter Handicap in the scorching temperatures of Northern California, Theological (AUS), owned by summit was bet down to the slight favorite over pre-race co-favorite, empirez trained Praetorian Prefect. The field loaded easily into the starting gates for the fifteenth race on the card, which was the mile and a quarter Golden Platter Handicap (G2). While some horses where showing a bit of later from the temperatures, none of them seemed in obvious discomfort from the heat.

In the end of the mile and a quarter, Praetorian Prefect ran a perfect race and won over the favorite, Theological (AUS). The connections of Nextbonus Racing were obviously elated. The four year old Kentucky-bred son of Roman Ruler was sent out of the start gate by jockey Ti. Matthews to settle three and one-fourth lengths off the pace in fourth to stalk other three horses stretched out in front of him. Taking the immediate lead was favorite Theological (AUS) who led by two lengths. Testing Adventure (AUS) and Hard Miss, trained by buckplace and newscoobi respectably were head to head dueling over the second place position.

Praetorian Prefect actually dropped back a little by the second call in the race, although the gutsy colt refused to give his fourth place position to Devil’s Staircase, owned by seapigeon. Theological (AUS) with jockey C. Winter had lengthened their lead to three and a half lengths now over the field with Testing Adventure (AUS) and Hard Miss still battling it out behind, but with Testing Adventure (AUS) now having a slight lead on his challenger.

As the field went into the turn of the mile and one quarter turf course Theological (AUS) surrendered his lead to a fast charging Praetorian Prefect who was thundering up on the outside of Theological (AUS). Theological (AUS) in the meantime was quickly fading and had slipped into third. Hard Miss saw the advantage and made his move to the far outside of Theological and Praetorian Prefect and tried to make his bid for the lead. The rest of the field were gearing up and making their run now as the eleven horse field neared the stretch towards the wire. Falling back fast and running twenty-one and one-half lengths back in last place was the twelve year old veteran Duke Pinky, owned and trained by gbracing.

When the field came to the wire Praetorian Prefect won by two lengths in 2:00 4/5, setting a new stakes record for the Golden Platter Handicap. The son of Roman Ruler set an impressive speed figure of one hundred ten for the race. Staying up with the pack the whole way through the race and making a late bid on the stretch to the outside, Hard Miss landed in second with jockey P. Graham, acquiring a speed figure of one hundred eight and finishing just two lengths off the pace. And rounding out our on the board finishers, hoofhearts, of Timmn Stables, hit the board in the show slot with I Don’t Stutter, who made an impressive run of trailing the field second to last for the majority of the race before being asked to pour on the steam at the turn, ultimately finishing six lengths off of Praetorian Prefect with a speed figure of one hundred four.

Also rans in the Golden Platter Handicap include: Devil’s Staircase, Otto Oh No, Pleasant Emblem (JPN), Theological (AUS), Testing Adventure (AUS), Falling Down (IRE), Turn To Roads (IRE) and Duke Pinky.