More Medicine

There was plenty to suggest that last month’s G1-Dancer Cap in New York was the best form lead up to this week’s G3-The Girls Just Right Stakes, and so it proved, with the exacta runners in that top class feature, Doctor Danzig and Year Of The Hawk, producing the same result again here. Never looking in any danger from the moment the jockey said go, Doctor Danzig enhanced her recent Graded form with a convincing length and three quarter victory from the fast finishing Year Of The Hawk.

There were no dead set leaders in the field, and so Shaft Seeker more or less found herself left in charge from her handy barrier. Dry Gulch Tavern used a bit of early speed to cross from her wide gate and move nearer to the fence. Doctor Danzig jumped smartly and eased off the leaders, while being caught a little wide. Koko Taylor sat next with Out Of Iraq and Stirling Form outside her and Bombalurina on her inside. Reina Jade was not letting the leaders get too far away and Clark County was accompanying her. Fulgurant settled next, the last of the main bunch. Dropping back early were Miss Roberts and Royal Birkdale. Bringing up the rear came Song Of The Hawk with Dynafast on the fence alongside. Half a dozen lengths covered the field after they’d gone a couple of furlongs

Not much changed as they worked down the backstretch. The field strung out a tad so that about nine lengths was the spread as they moved into the turn.

Rounding the bend and the race took on a serious note, Doctor Danzig made a move and immediately had Shaft Seeker and Dry Gulch Tavern under pressure. Koko Taylor was showing signs of distress. Out Of Iraq, Bombalurina and Stirling Form were trying hard to stay within touch, while Reina Jade and Clark County were moving into the picture without making significant ground on Doctor Danzig, who’d stolen the ascendancy. From well back Song Of The Hawk was making the most impressive appearance and nothing else had any chance of featuring in the money.

But the decisive move had been made. Goodburn, on Doctor Danzig, had delivered the knockout blow. Down to the wire and it was Doctor Danzig comfortably by nearly two lengths.

Song Of The Hawk ran the best final sectionals, but had given away too big a head start. A gallant second, she couldn’t complete the “Hawks” double, after Hawthorn caused the boilover in the big game.

Reina Jade finished solidly for third, a further half length astern

Clark County worked home solidly for fourth

Out Of Iraq ran an even race for the last check, just holding out Bombalurian and Stirling Form, with only a quarter of a length between the three of them.

Miss Roberts passed a few on the run in.

Dry Gulch Tavern raced closer to the pace than normal. She couldn’t sustain, but still registered triple digits.

Dynafast collared a couple of faders.

Shaft Seeker may have had excuses after possibly finding herself an unwilling pacemaker.

Koko Taylor was up there early before surrendering meekly.

Royal Birkdale and Fulgurant never featured.

Doctor Danzig is a five year old daughter of Speightstown from Doctor J.O (Danzig / J.O Tobin).  This was her seventh win from twenty two runs, and lifts her earnings above $430k. She ran the seven and a half furlongs in 1.28.2, while returning a speed rating of 109. Previous rated # 6 in her division, this Graded win elevates her to # 4.

Manon is a member of the 17 barn “Ace Stables – Great Plains Division”, support split between The CR Racers and Great Plains. Graded stakeswinning half sisters Doctor Danzig and The Teacher share the limelight in the barn, with the other five occupied stalls all housing two year olds, including another half sibling This Is Noyes (Any Given Saturday), a filly who has a lot to live up to.

At the Window:  A poor result as we left out both the winner and the third placed runner, rendering our exotics tickets worthless. Our ‘across the board’ selection disappointed and although our first selection ran second, the win ticket was yet another loser

But

WE’RE A HAPPY TEAM AT HAWTHORN