The Chuck’s Truck an Easy Pick-up for Big Max
Race ID:3882.5013
Grade III The Chuck’s Truck Stakes
$800,000, All horses 4 Year Olds and Up
One Mile and One Quarter (10 F)
Track: Turf
Local racegoers crowded the grandstand as eleven older horses took to the track to compete in the 1st Edition of the $800K Grade III Chuck’s Truck Stakes over ten furlongs of turf in Japan. A highly competitive field paraded to the post featuring buffy 5’s MAX CALIFORNIA(KY) the morning line favourite. On paper this was destined to be a wide open affair. The race unfolded as expected once the gates sprung wide with jockey D. Davis taking DARKDOUN(IRE) peepsclaim directly to the lead. The lead was almost four by the opening quarter but Davis had trouble taking a hold of his head strong charge and his efforts to slow him down proved futile. With the lead now almost six at the half, both MAVERICK’S CAT(KY) mvrkzx7r and MAX CALIFORNIA(KY) stalked, waiting patiently to make their moves in hopes that the speed would falter from the torrid pace. Just off their flanks, WESTERN SCULPTURE dorrin was going easily as he led the balance of the tightly bunched field who stood back from two to seven lengths with SINNCINNATI(FR) lgbost3 and STORM’S GONE AGAIN tisgold trailing. At the top of the lane, K. Ledwith gave MAX his head and took off after the tiring leader. Collaring him in mid-stretch, he opened up to the wire and won in hand by almost two lengths. REFUSE TO CRY(IRE) paceman2 fell back in the early going to ninth and was over thirteen lengths behind the leader at the mid-point of the race. He began his run on the far turn and was able to weave his way through tired horses only to come up short by less than two lengths at the end for second. Hladun’s selection on this day, ORDER IN THE COURT(KY) hippyfarms, finished a solid third after tracking the leader early while stalking just off the brisk pace. When it came time to run he came up empty unable to close any ground and finished four lengths behind at the end.
GRADED HANDICAPS: Hladun said …
PP 2: 112099 MAX CALIFORNIA(KY) buffy5 (3/1) RANK: 58
“This five year old son of Rock Hard Ten is a high percentage shooter who is as consistent a horse as there is. With eleven wins to his credit and only missing the board five times in his career, he’s banked $4.1M to date and looks to add to that total here. He enjoyed a stellar 2008 where he broke necks and cashed cheques in every start. He won two Grade One events and finished second in the prestigious Grade I Ark De Triumph and the Breeders Bowl Turf. In the Grade II Ferdichenko Cup, his first start of 2009, he was in striking position as they turned for home but couldn’t reach the leader finishing third by three. This is not his prefered distance of ground. Normally, he’d enjoy more yardage to work with but he’s a professional and always comes to compete so he would not be a surprise here. A contender.”
PP 7: 152832 REFUSE TO CRY(IRE) paceman2 (9/1) RANK: 850
“After a disappointing performance in the Grace III Buck Dharma Handicap, this four year old son of Refuse To Bend(IRE) rebounded in his latest, an allowance effort three weeks ago. Covering the ten furlongs in 2:01 flat (109), he did so with authority as he closed ten lengths through the stretch to win going away by almost four, leaving two graded stakes placed horses in his wake. A repeat of his last one put’s him right there at the wire. A contender if he avoids the bounce.”
PP 8: 118770 ORDER IN THE COURT(KY) hippyfarms (6/1) RANK: 21
“Like another in here, this five year old son of Doneraile Court is a very consistent peak performer. With ten wins and almost $2M in the bank, he comes into this one on a two race win streak and hasn’t missed the board in his last seven races. Two starts back in his last race of 2008, he won the Grade I Penn Handicap at nine and a half furlongs by almost two after stalking throughout. He was 10-1 that day and has since won the Gilded Bay Stakes at today’s distance in 2:01:3 (105) staying close to the lead and pouncing as they turned for home. Hard to argue with this one as he has it all going his way right now. The one to beat!”
STAKE STAT’S:
- MAX CALIFORNIA(KY) won his 12th career start and his bankroll now stands at $4.6M
- Winning time for 10F (Turf) was 2:00:0 (113)
- Eight of eleven horses earned triple digit speed figures ranging from 100-113
- Winner paid $8.30. Exactor (2-7) paid $87.80 for a $2 wager
- Trifecta (2-7-8) paid $532.40 for a $2 wager