Grade III Thank You Stakes Offers No Surprises
Race ID:3875.5013
Grade III The Thank You Stakes
$750,000, All horses 4 Year Olds and Up
Seven Furlongs (7 F)
Track: Turf Good
In spite of the wet forecast, local punters were out in full force on Nakayama Handicap Day here in Japan. The 1st Edition of the $750K Grade III The Thank You Stakes over seven furlongs of “good” turf featured a highly competitive field of eleven including the #5 ranked SIM Older Sprinter APPROPRIATELY(KY) pjlstables. As the post time favourite at just over 5-1, pjlstables APPROPRIATEL(KY) did not disappoint. Laying off the brisk pace of GOVERNMENT LISTING tegan and EL ASTRO ZULIANO(IRE) castillo, this four year old son of Pulpit took a stalking position tucked in along the rail in a ground saving approach. With WESTERN BROAD pbcash and MATERIALISTIC(KY) stormrun just in behind, the pack swept along down the backstretch bidding their time in preparation for one big run as they entered the far turn. It was at this point that jockey Kedwith began scrubbing on APPROPRIATELY(KY) in an effort to quicken his pace. At the top of the homestretch, GOVERNMENT LISTING finally gave way to the eventual winner as he came off the rail opening a lane for him to shoot through. On top now by three quarters, APPROPRIATELY(KY) and jockey Ledwith now comfortable in their stride measured the field to the wire and won in hand. MATERIALISTIC(KY) finished an even second who in turn held off WESTERN BROAD for third.
GRADED HANDICAPS: Hladun said …
PP 8: 143397 APPROPRIATELY(KY) pjstables (5/1) RANK: 5
“Ranked #5 in the SIM, this four year old son of Pulpit is a high percentage type having won nine of fourteen career turf races and amassed $952K in the bank. After a freshening on the farm, he recently returned to win the Eye Plus Plus Stakes with a strong stretch drive at today’s seven panel distance by a scant nose covering it in 1:21:1 (111). With nine consecutive triple digit speed figures to his credit he’s looking to double up here as he marches towards another Breeders Bowl berth. The one to beat!”
PP 11: 150291 MATERIALISTIC(KY) stormrun (9/1) RANK: 186
“This four year old son of Aragorn is another who is bouncing between surfaces looking to find a groove in which to race consistently as he’s been anything but over his career. A win last time out over the dirt at seven and a half furlongs while posting a speed figure of 109 followed an indifferent turf foray in which he was seventh of seven beaten by over twelve. Your guess is as good as mine as to which horse will show up today. I’m expecting the latter. Not today.”
PP 2: 84960 WESTERN BROAD pbcash (9/1) RANK: 406
“A winner of eleven turf races to date, this six year old son of Gone West comes out of an allowance race having won at today’s distance in 1:21:3 (108). Today’s track has come up ”good” and he’s two for four on “off” tracks. Back in October, he wired the field at seven panels on a “good” track and will attempt to do it here in graded company. Has yet to prove himself at this level so until he does he’ll have to show me he belongs.”
MEDIA QUOTES:
“I knew he was ready when I mounted him in the paddock today. He was all business out there. Always within himself, I was simply a passenger … he did it all. The outcome was never in doubt once the rail opened up for us at the top of the stretch. He’ll be a factor in this division in 2009 so take note” … K. Ledwith (jockey on winner APPROPRIATELY(KY) pjstables)
STAKE STAT’S:
- APPROPRIATELY(KY) pjstables is now 2 for 2 in 2009 both at seven furlongs on the turf
- Winning time for 7F (Turf) was 1:21:1 (111)
- MATERIALISTIC(KY) stormrun earned his first career graded placing and his highest speed figure to date (110)
- Six horses earned triple digit speed figures ranging from 101-111
- Winner paid $12.50 (5-1). Exactor (8-11) paid $124.70 for a $2 wager
- Trifecta (8-11-2) paid $1,202.60 for a $2 wager