Zarak Takes Gold
The Gold Glass Stakes was a hard fought battle between two horses, K’s Zarak and Total Chaos. These two ran side by side throughout the 2-mile race, never challenged by the other 10 entrants in the field. Total Chaos held the lead for most of the race, but never more than a length. Just past the 12f pole, K’s Zarak made his move and gradually expanded it to a full length by the time the field reached the wire.
With the win, K’s Zarak extended his win streak to four and is on a very hot streak, winning 9 of his last 11.
Total Chaos finished second in a posted spead of 102, one tick behind the winner. Total Chaos was my second selection in the race.
Rainband closed well from the 9th spot to finish third. Can’t help but think that this horse may have had a better run if any other jockey got the call…thank the Steward Gods for this flaw.
Mon Coup, one of two gals competing with the boys in this race, grabbed the forth spot. She ran a flat third most of the race, never threatning the leaders.
Alum Bay seemed to be the best of the rest, although his race wasn’t quite spectacular. I did feel he could get a piece of the purse funds, which he did with his fifth place finish.
Not So Kool Aid dropped out of the picture rather dramatically. He ran 4th early on, five lengths back at the midway point, and just fell back further by the end, finishing sixth.
Samalaman Island, the 4-1 favorite, and my top choice, faltered badly. Samalaman ran near the rear of the field early on, and the best he could do is finish in the middle, taking the 7th spot. I chose him as my top pick…I just can’t nail these horses switching track surfaces. As I Tostated in my review, in a previous race, I went against a horse who was the favorite and switching surfaces that they weren’t established on, and they won. Same situation happened here, Samalaman had one race on turf, but this time I back him…oh well.
In ninth was Napp who faced graded company for the first time. He had a perfect record of finishing in top 3 coming into this event on the turf and just raced like he was outclassed here.
Footsteps on Grass put in an explosive finish in his last outing, closing from 15 back to win by 7. He was no where near doing that this race. He was 17 back at 3/4 mark and finished there. May need some time off.
Blackfyre who has scored a couple wins recently in speeds over 100 came up empty here. He has struggled with the stakes competion level and was disappointing here.
Harlans Honour and Forever for Her took the final two positions. Not sure who beat who out as I was busy tearing up my losing tickets by the time they finished.
Ok, ok, ok….my ongoing competition with the randomness of a dice roll has set me back. The dice did pick the winner here, making it 1 for 5 (3 for 5 ITM). I take satisfaction that I am in second 0 for 5 (2 for 5 ITM) with the top picks. I did acknowledge I liked the dice selections, as it also had Total Chaos for third…You may have hit the exacta if you boxed the dice selection.