Third Consecutive Grade 1 Takes Filly To Top Ranking

If there were any doubt about Disasterpiece deserving the top ranking in her division, she well and truly put those doubts aside with her phenomenal effort in the Michigan Distaff this week. Despite having won Grade 1 contests in each of last two appearances, the oddsmakers needed a fair bit of convincing, sending her out as the third favored runner in the market. Those lining up after the event to collect their $19.90 are laughing all the way to the bank, but are probably aware that they are most unlikely to be handed such a gift again in the foreseeable future. Stopping the clock in less than two minutes, Disasterpiece joins a small and select group of horses to accomplish such impressive time. Black Tuesday, runner up to the winner for the second time in those three races, was gallant yet again. In a race which was always going to be run in very smart time, she simply gave away too big a start in a contest of this caliber. War In Heaven secured immortality in the breeding barn with her clear but distant third.

Go Ireland was expected to lead and did so, but not with the ease she’s known of late. Rose Crown, drawn wider, also wanted the lead and was not prepared to surrender it without a fight. As both these speedsters do by far their best work from the front, the early battle was not surprising. A major contributor to the amazing race time, this early charge did nothing for the eventual chances of the two protagonists. Although Go Ireland held the lead from the outset, it took her a couple of furlongs to ward off Rose Crown, and a couple more furlongs to clear her completely. In the meantime, Seekhee settled third, with Disasterpiece inside her, moving across to the rail and placing herself in the perfect position to strike later. A line of five followed. Isle of Pigs, three wide, headed War Heaven, nicely placed one out. Caught wide were Mister Rabbit and Star Of The North, while To Live Is To Die had secured the rail and was enjoying a nice run. Reefer Madness had shifted closer to the fence behind that line. Surgewell had dropped off early with Desperado’s Mambo, Dixie Park, Dance Of Death and Black Tuesday all content to patiently await their opportunities

Go Ireland, once free of Rose Crown continued to pile on the pressure, and while the running order remained largely unchanged, the field spread out until, half way through the feature, more than seventeen lengths separated first and last.

Midway down the back stretch the race took on a serious note, Disasterpiece and War In Heaven began making inroads on the leaders. Rose Crown was the first beaten and Go Ireland was going to have to find another gear if she wanted to hold the lead. The early pace started to tell on the field. Seekhee was showing signs of distress, Star Of The North was still looking some sort of chance and, back in the field, Black Tuesday and Dance Of Death were unleashing solid runs from the rear.

But the horse had bolted. War In Heaven could not match strides with Disasterpiece as the eventual winner took over entering the stretch. War in Heaven got to Go Ireland just as Black Tuesday zoomed past her in pursuit of the leader. Dance Of Death’s run had petered out, but not before she’d collared most of the field.

Down to the wire and it was Disaterpiece comfortably by two and three quarter lengths. Black Tuesday ran amazing final sectionals, but had given away too big a head start.

War In Heaven finished seven lengths from the winner in third, but her 111 speed rating would have won most races in the sim

Dance of Death came from last and apart from Black Tuesday, was the only runner to take late ground from the winner

Star Of The North ran an even race for the last check.

Go Ireland went too fast early and couldn’t sustain it.

Surgewell passed a few horses in the closing stages.

Dixie Park was always a long way from the action, but still registered triple digits.

To Live Is To Die raced midfield before weakening.

Isle Of Pigs was up there early.

Reefer Madness never featured.

Rose Crown did all her work in the early furlongs.

Seekhee enjoyed a handy early position before wilting.

Mister Rabbit started well, but faded.

Desperado’s Mambo put in an effort to forget.

Disasterpiece is a four year old scratchbred daughter of Mineshaft / Halo / Deputy Minister.  This was her eighth win from fifteen runs, and lifts her earnings above $1.4m. She ran the ten furlongs in 1.59.6, while returning a speed rating of 118. Previous rated # 2 in her division, this Graded win elevates her to the top.

Zewango1 is a member of the 24 barn “Black Label Stables”, all supporters of DelPenn National. Disasterpiece is the stable star, Freedom Slave (SP) has banked six figures in a long career, while Dying To Meet You (SW), Judas Has Spoken (SW) and Seven Wrong Turns (SP) are also six figure earners, in much shorter timeframes.

At the Window:

Probably our best ever result, tipping the trifecta in order.

Disasterpiece paid $19.90, $11.90 and $8.00.

Black Tuesday returned $7.80 and $5.80  

War In Heaven paid $7.60.

The exacta dividend was a handy $154.70 and the trifecta an astonishing $2221.40.

Congratulations if you had a share of those results