Alayaya From The Clouds In Solstice
In one of the most astounding last half miles we’re likely to witness ever, Alayaya came from a seemingly impossible position to race home a commanding winner in one of the Delpenn feature events, the million and a half dollar Solstice Oaks. (And making this scribe look somewhat foolish along the way). She took this, her second Grade 1 victory, in much the same way as she took her first, The Cremation Stakes, in June. After giving away a huge lead in the early stages, she flew home late to leave the rest of the field in her wake.
As expected, Crushing Ignorance won the jump and had no competition for the early ascendency. Auror Derby was determined to try and keep her honest, however, and she settled a clear second, not allowing the leader to open too big a gap. True Chant found the rail after a furlong, while El Gato Gudo sat immediately behind her, making the most of her inside stall. The remainder of the field were all content to sit back patiently, and after they’d traveled a couple of furlongs, less than two lengths separated Briseida, fifth, and the backmarker, Alayaya.
There were no significant changes in running order for the first half mile or so, but Crushing Ignorance, uncharacteristically, was only a couple of lengths ahead of Auror Derby with True Chant, also keeping close attendance, Running fourth, and getting a lovely run on the fence, El Gato Agudo was giving the leader half a dozen lengths. Another couple of lengths and the rest of the field appeared to be in a different event, with jockeys eyeballing each other waiting for the moves to come. Briseida led this group, more than eight lengths from the lead. Retribution Angel, Single White Pat, Otto Tribute, Miesque’s Gold and Crime Beat were all within a length of her. Then followed Pazzjazz Prayer, Moi Lolita, Alayaya and South of Heaven, with the backmarker spotting the leader about eleven lengths.
Auror Derby was first to crack. She’d simply worked to hard keeping in touch, and as they began to round the bottom turn, she’s had enough, True Chant tried to give chase, but was finding it tough going. El Gato Agudo was still there, but hardly looking threatening. Most of the others had been run off their feet with the bold, front running effort of Crushing Ignorance, but among the would-be closers, Otto Tribute and Crime Beat were making a bit of headway, and Alayaya was picking off the stragglers one by one.
But into the stretch and Crushing Ignorance looked to have their measure. She appeared to be cruising to the wire, until a bolt from the blue. B. Gulch had waited for Alayaya to straighten before asking for that final effort. And she produced it in spades, flying home to take the trophy by almost two lengths
Crushing Ignorance had done everything expected, and had a comfortable margin from the rest of the field
Crime Beat and Otto Tribute staged their own little war down the stretch for the final spot on the podium. Crime Beat won that tight fought contest.
El Gato Agudo ran a solid, even race for the last check
Miesque’s Gold took sixth after a photo with Retribution Angel. The pair had been inseparable throughout most of the event.
Pazjazz Prayer passed a few horses in the run home.
True Chant used up too much energy staying in touch early.
Moi Lolita and South Of Heaven plodded on, not surrendering ground in the closing stages.
Briseida showed early pace before faltering. She registered triple digits despite finishing third last.
Single White Pat was in the mix early, but couldn’t keep going.
Auror Derby did the work early, keeping the leader within range. Perhaps connections could approach the winner for a sling.
Alayaya is a three year old scratchbred daughter of A.P. Indy / Awesome Again / Sadler’s Wells. This was her sixth win from fourteen runs, and lifts her earnings above $1.3m. She ran the eight furlongs in 1.34.0, returning a speed rating of 112. Previous rated # 15 in her division, this Graded win elevates her to # 4.
Given is the manager of “Given Stables: Fire and Blood”, a 30 barn conglomerate associated with GR Simsters. Alayaya is the star of the yard which also houses six figure earners Tat Su (Ghostzapper), Tommen’s Kitten (Kittens Joy) and Oasis Nine (Oasis Dream) along with the promising two year olds Rains of Castamere (Giant’s Causeway), Fusaichi Simster (Fusaichi Pegasus) and Vaith (Rahy)
At the Window: Those who took the across the board suggestion received $17.00 for a six dollar outlay around Crushing Ignorance.
Having been a tad unkind to Alayaya in the preview, with my tail between my legs I admit I made a costly mistake.
You can get exotic payouts without the winner, so here’s a typical punters lament. We were unlucky. Our second and third picks finished fourth and fifth