I Seek U’s Little Sister Earns First Graded Trophy

There were to be no hard luck stories in Newmarket this weekend as Night Witch took out the Grade 3 Turn Off The Alarm Stakes in a most emphatic manner. Although the final margin was just half a length, and the runner up Vixen Valley most gallant in defeat, supporters of the winner were able to relax over the final furlong. The four year old half sister to sim great, I Seek U, had the race well under control in the straight, with the eventual result clear cut quite a distance from home.

The expected battle for the early ascendancy did not pan out as many had expected. Inflection won the jump and was matched by Idolatria, out wide, for a few strides, before she decided discretion was the better part of valour. Vixen Valley, to the surprise of some, was not prepared to surrender the coveted rails draw, so she showed plenty of toe in the early stages. Seven Bridges had begun smartly, and she was content to ease slightly. Get Your Scurry On jumped reasonably, but D. Harvey quickly realized she couldn’t lead. She too showed restraint. Nothin’ To Lose, midfield, had Night Witch on her outside as they settled, with Toga Point holding the fence inside the pair of them. Suicidal Tendency (I’ll spell it right this time) eased nicely across to the rail early, with She’s All Mystery outside her. Champion Flower, Pyarmidiono and General Skydancer were all a tad slow to leave the gates. They settled towards the rear, and there they were destined to remain.

No sooner had they settled themselves into position, than it was time to get busy. Half way round the turn and there had been no substantial change in the running order, but the field had spread out over about eight lengths. The first noticeable move came from Vixen Valley. She’d saved every inch of ground in the run, and set out after Inflection, who had traveled comfortably without opening much of a gap, and Idolatria, now clearly under pressure. Night Witch was moving into the picture from further back, and although Inflection looked to be in trouble, she was still looking likely to hold out most of the rest of the field, who were all paddling, with the only exception being Toga Point, who looked some chance of snaring a podium finish. Into the straight and Vixen Valley soon collared Inflection, but Night Watch had timed her run to perfection and, in turn, soon got the better of her.

Down to the line and it was Night Witch by a deceptively easy half a length.

Vixen Valley had run an excellent race. She was beaten at least a furlong from home, but refused to give up the fight. She had nearly three lengths to spare on the third horse home

Inflection had dug deep enough over the closing stages to be that third horse.

Toga Point worked home solidly for fourth, taking the better of the consolation prize cheques from Idolatria in a tight photo.

Seven Bridges ran an even race, weakening slightly in the run home.

Suicidal Tendency passed a couple of tiring runners.

Nothin’ To Lose raced midfield throughout.

Get Your Scurry On was probably out of contention before they’d covered the first furlong.

General Skydancer was best of the swoopers who all failed to swoop.

She’s All Mystery, Champion Flower and Pyarmiodo never featured.

Night Witch is a four year old daughter of Pulpit from Prospect Dealing (Unfuwain / Mr. Prospector) and, with this win, becomes the second Graded winner from the dam of I Seek U.  This was her eighth win from twenty four runs, and lifts her earnings above $490k. She ran the six furlongs in 1.09.2, while returning a speed rating of 105. Previous rated # 17 in her division, this Graded win elevates her to # 12.

Wemblem is a member of the 15 barn “Winterfell Racing”, all supporters of GR Simsters. A stable full of big money earners, it also includes six figure earners SW Diablerie (Storm Cat) – $725k, GW – Captain Amazing (Rock Hard Ten) – $436k, SW – Lord Hornblower (Touch Gold) – $392k, SP – Crimean Nightmare (A.P. Indy) – $197k, SW – Nikki Nova (Rock Hard Ten) – $185k and SP – Pandaemonium (Bernardini) – $111k

At the Window:  Failing to tip the winner meant all our exotics went straight into the rubbish bin, but those who took the suggested across the board wager on Vixen Valley received $20.30 for each $6 outlay.