Native Mambo All The Way

Native Mambo lived up to the ability she’s being showing in recent starts with an emphatic all the way win in the Smackdown Restricted Turf Mile Stakes for Three year old fillies. After consecutive placings in Grade 1 events prior to this week, she bounced back to the winners circle with a strong, all the way effort against a field which belied the official rating of the race. Controlling the event from the outset, she gave nothing else a chance as she ran to the wire with a comfortable length and a half to spare.

Native Mambo won the jump comfortably, and within half a furlong had crossed the field and taken up the uncontested running. Whip It Wood made good use of an inside draw, sitting just off the early pace, while Flowerats had no difficulty crossing from her middle gate to sit outside Whip It Wood. Vex and Inclusive took up nice positions in the third row, with Happens in Vegas and Slevins The Name close by, but trapped a little wide. Barb’s Caramel came next, inside Oneforthebabe with Starrahy Eyed and The Dark Mark not far behind. Otto Tribute, Smooth Flow, Gambia and Best There Is completed the running order on settling down.

Native Mambo continued to set a cracking pace, opening up a clear gap and causing the field to string out. By the half mile she had established a commanding lead, Whip It Wood and Flowerats were working hard to stay in touch, while Gambia, at the rear, was giving away nearly fourteen lengths. The leader continued to widen the gap, as the opposition appeared content to wait until she faltered. But falter she didn’t. B.Child kept her going and around the corner the margin to the second horse had increased to almost five lengths

Into the straight and Native Mambo could sense victory. Happens In Vegas and Slevins the Name were coming home, getting a little closer, but posing no serious threat. At the wire Happens In Vegas had run the winning margin down to a length and a half, but Native Mambo was never under any significant pressure

Slevins The Name battled on doggedly a couple of lengths further back in third place.

Best There Is made enormous ground from the rear, but gave too much start to a filly who didn’t weaken.

Flowerats battled on gamely for the final check.

The Dark Mark passed tired horses and was unlucky to go home empty handed.

Smooth Flow made a bit of late ground

Inclusive ran an even race for eighth, registering a triple digit speed rating.

Otto Tribute ran the worst race of her career. Connections are being interviewed by stewards as this item is being written.

Barb’s Caramel was always rearwards

Vex was close enough early but faded.

Oneforthebabe never got into the race.

Whip It Wood used too much gas early.

Gambia never featured.

Starrahy Eyed faded to last.

Native Mambo is a three year old daughter of El Prado from Icy Mambo (Kingmambo / Exclusive Native). This was her sixth win from fifteen starts and lifts her earnings above $ 1.1 million. She ran the mile in 1.34.0, returning a speed rating of 111. Despite this victory, she drops from # 3 to # 4 ranking in her division

Caliracing is a member of the 23 barn “Worldwide”, all stables (except one STC) being active supporters of Minnesota Downs. Native Mambo is the headline act in the 9 member barn of horses ranging from two year olds through to six year olds.

At the Window: A complete wipeout. Couldn’t find one placegetter in three picks!