Grade I Yellow Submarine Recap
Lilbitfarm’s Hamster stamped herself as one of the leading turf females in the sim with a convincing two-length score in the Grade 1 Yellow Submarine Stakes at California. This classy and consistent three-year old daughter of Rock of Gibraltar rated just off a killing pace before seizing the lead at the quarter pole and cruising home clear of a strong field that included several millionaires in 2:01, good for a more-than-solid 109 SR. A winner of nine of her twelve career starts, including her last four, Hamster has never been out of the money and is only now revealing her true class and potential. This writer touted her as a big overlay at 11/1 in here, and she won’t again be such a generous price for a long time to come. Congratulations to lilbitfarm and good luck in the big one coming next month.
Willyam20’s Sheza Maniac returned to her best form to run a solid second in this Grade 1 fixture. Back at a more preferred distance and with a strong pace to run at, jockey O. Brim had this mare rolling late. Clearly second best, she equaled her lifetime top of 107 and should be fresh for at least a couple more big tests this fall.
Favorite Jena Berlin was not on her best form for this one but did herself no disgrace in crossing under the line third. Astinator5’s millionaire was coming into this one off two consecutive career tops and three consecutive wins but just three weeks rest, so a bounce was always a possibility. She now heads into the Breeders Bowl in need of a quick return to her best.
Pygmalion’s Publik Enemy came up a length out of the money and just short of the purse share needed to go over the million-dollar mark in career earnings. The six year-old’s effort was a return to good form, equaling her career-best SR of 106, and she was another who benefited from the lively pace.
Kepler of Rainbow stalked the early pace and held on fairly well through the stretch to finish fifth, while Derockery did her best running late to come sixth. She likely needed this race and will move forward next time out. Kneel Before Zod passed tired ones late and likely needs a class drop to be more competitive. Upgraded did not have the speed to reach the front and was outrun. Freezing made the early pace but wound up ninth and is perhaps suited to shorter route distances. Completing the rest of the order was Sinndee Slew, Horrifying Storm, Desert Alley, Lead Actress, who also tired from chasing the pace, and Condemnation, who ran a clunker without her usual rest.