A Golden Rose is One to Covet
Race ID:3882.5314
Grade II The Golden Rose Stakes
$800,000, All horses 3 Years Old
One Mile (8 F)
Track: Turf Firm
Victorian spectators enjoyed a wonderful weekend of live racing capped by the 1st Edition of the GII Golden Rose Stakes over one mile of firm turf for three year olds. This evenly matched field, many of whom are aspiring to launch themselves onto the turf classic trail here, were led by several of the SIM’s leading divisional opponents led by #3 SUPER RISK(IRE) wistful0 and #5 CREDIT SPENT(IRE) brentuk. Despite their status within Turf Classic Division they received little respect in the morning line and were out to prove themselves to all of their worthiness. From the outset, both CHILL OF A JOURNEY(IRE) calle4 and NORTH’S LOCK(KY) hollandia4 engaged each other in a spirited speed duel with neither giving way for the first quarter mile. Sitting just off their flank and tracking them a half length off was lenny 28’s PASS THE MIC(KY) and wistful0’s SUPER RISK(IRE). Approaching the half mile pole, both speedsters were nary a nostril apart as their jockey’s urged them on for more speed in a vain attempt to run away from the field. As the horses entered the far turn, jockey S. Nightingale urged his mount to begin his run and COVET(ENG) responded in kind. Sweeping along the hedge he charged to the lead at the top of the lane as the two speedsters began to tire and came off the rail allowing him through. With powerful strides, COVET(ENG) found his comfort zone and sped to the wire under a hand ride, keeping the others at bay through the stretch to win by one. ROCK VEGAS(IRE) farm304, sitting at the back of the field early, began to find his head on the backstretch and made up precious ground from that point on. At the top of the lane and sitting in fifth, jockey R. Bailey set him down for the drive. Passing tired horses he surged to within a length of victory but could not cut into the lead of that one who was far and away the best today. SUPER RISK(IRE) stalked just off the pace throughout but could not keep pace through the stretch and finished a fading third less than a length ahead of CREDIT SPEND(IRE) for fourth. Speed can kill, particularly in the sport of kings when not used judiciously, as both CHILL OF A JOURNEY(IRE) and NORTH’S LOCK(KY) finished up the track, eleventh and seventh respectively.
GRADED HANDICAPS: Hladun said …
PP 10: COVET(ENG) rtribbett (9/1) TURF CLASSIC RANK: 31
Colt: Dansili(GB) x Giant’s Causeway(IRE) x Forty Niner
“In seven career starts , this son of Dansili(GB) has three wins and three seconds to go with $433K in the bank for his efforts. He comes into this race off a strong win in three year old debut in the GIII Booty Call Stakes closing fast through the lane to overcome a six length deficit for the victory. In the final start of his two year old campaign, the Grade I Digging the Grave Handicap, he ran evenly throughout and though he was never far off the pace was unable to wrestle the lead away finishing a strong second. Earlier in the campaign he competed in the Grade I Nationwide Stakes and finished second once again at seven panels. He has the class and the form to be a force once again in here and the posted odds of 9-1 are almost too good to be true. A contender.”
PP 13: ROCK VEGAS(IRE) farm304 (7/1) TURF CLASSIC RANK: 17
Colt: Galileo(IRE) x Gone West x Blushing Groom(FR)
“This son of Galileo(IRE) has been a prolific performer to date having won four races to date and never been worse than second in his young career. A winner of two non-graded events, The Night Grass Special and The Sir Vanilla Special Stakes, he looks to take the next step here facing graded company for the first time in search of respect within the division. In his last, The Grade III Rantofan Handicap (8.5F), he trailed by eight at the mid-point when jockey Wendorff hit the switch. We watched as he ran powerfully through the stretch to finish fast closing second beaten by one and stamping himself a serious contender here today off that effort. He may be a tad short here as he appears to appreciate more distance than afforded here and may be better suited to the classic mile and a quarter. A contender.”
PP 6: SUPER RISK(IRE) wistful0 (10/1) TURF CLASSIC RANK: 3
Colt: Danehill Dancer(IRE) x Fusaichi Pegasus x Storm Cat
“This son of Danehill Dancer(IRE) is ranked number 3 in the Turf Clasic Divison coming into this weekend but gets little respect in the morning line with a 10-1 on his line. All he’s done to date to vaildate his ranking is win four of eight and banked $439K for his connections. He’s come a long way since his initial race where he started on the dirt finishing 14th of 14 with a 25 speed figure. There’s hope for us all with our precocious two year olds who get off to slow starts. A winner of the Grade I High Flyer Stakes as a two year old at odds of 14-1, he did so with a stalking style as has been his preference to date. He disappointed in his next start, the GI Breeders Bowl Juvenile Turf at today’s distance finishing seventh by five. In his latest, the Grade III Rantofan Handicap he faced a similar fate finishing fifth and failing to gain through the t=stretch as he had in his two year old campaign. He looks to get untracked here and regain a measure of respect from both the linemaker and the public at large. Top jockey D. Evans takes over boasting a 36% win percentage. A wake-up possibility.”
STAKE STAT’S:
- COVET(ENG) rtribbett is on a role and has now won two consecutive Graded Stakes reaces and is two for two as a three year old.
- The Winner’s share of the $800K Purse propelled COVET’S bankroll to a plump $913K
- Winning time for 8F (Turf) was 1:34:4 (104)
- Only three horses earned triple digit speed figures ranging from 100-104
- Winner paid $20.40 (9-1). Exactor (10-13) paid $179.00 for a $2 wager
- Trifecta (10-13-6) paid $1.895.60 for a $2 wager