Big Race Recap 2643

Two weeks prior to the big racing day and a few stars were out taking an interesting route to the big day. Jupiter’s Moon (IRE) was probably the most impressive winner of the day adding to the greatness of the Breeder’s Bowl Turf if he can turn around on two weeks rest. Rapid Grey also looked solid winning at a mile and a half on turf.

Race: 2643.0414 Jockey Guild Gold Cup – Grade I – $1,000,000
Track: New York
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old and up
Distance: A mile and one quarter on the Dirt

A couple of long shots roll from well off the pace to beat the favorites for the top two spots. Obispo Town has been on a very good streak here lately. Obispo lives dangerously closing from way back every time out and this race was no exception as he rolled from sixteen lengths back. On dirt that is quite a feat.

Ethan Hollandia set the quick but pressured pace early as expected but could not hold off the closers. Obispo Town was sixteen lengths back early and Especially nearly thirteen lengths back keeping Obispo company. These two started to roll going into the turn for home closing strongly weaving around traffic. By the top of the stretch Obispo was just under ten lengths from the front and Especially was a little over seven lengths back.

In the stretch Especially and Obispo found their best strides and blew past runners. Especially took a short lead in mid stretch but could not hold off Obispo Town who was just off his flank. Obispo Town got the lead a few strides from the wire to win by three quarters of a length. Especially was second four and a quarter lengths of the third place finisher Kissin Cousin II.   

Race: 2636.2815 Canada Turf – Grade I – $1,000,000
Track: Ontario
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old and up
Distance: A mile and one half on the Turf

Jupiter’s Moon (IRE) romped home a huge winner. After having to run against Horseshoe Bay all summer long and then facing top older runners Jupiter’s Moon (IRE) found a good spot here today and exploded into a leading candidate for the Breeder’s Bowl Turf. He did not mess around with this field. He shot straight to the lead and did not look back. He was two and a half lengths clear at the half way point and he shook lose from there. He had nearly seven lengths on the field entering the stretch and only one was gaining any ground.

Jupiter’s Moon (IRE) stayed strong through the stretch finishing in a lightning fast 2:29 3/5. He tied the stakes with two other horses. Rain God in 2004 and Seattle Hit in 1991. He was four lengths clear of Swingshift Sal. Swingshift Sal put in another solid performance in getting the place. He was six lengths back early on a little closer to the pace than usual. He did manage to make up some ground on the winner but just not enough to get close. Swingshift finished four lengths behind the winner. The third place runner Drunken Cat hung around the best of the rest to get third. He never threatened or was in contention finishing twelve and a half lengths behind the winner. However Drunken Cat was seven and a half lengths in front of the fourth place finisher.

Race: 2636.5516 GSR Derby Grade I – $500,000
Track: Queensland
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old
Distance: A mile and one half on the Turf

Careless was not able to build up the huge leads he had in the past and Rapid Grey ran him down. Careless did get out to the lead early but it was not nearly as easy for him this time. Careless did shake free around the turn for home opening up by five lengths but that would not be enough to hold off Rapid Grey. Rapid Grey was fourteen lengths off the early pace early. He started to make up ground around the turn for home and really opened up in the stretch.

Rapid Grey gobbled up ground like no tomorrow swooping past a tiring Careless in late stretch and opening up to win by three and thee quarter lengths. Rapid Grey earned a solid speed figure and possibly could make the Breeder’s Bowl Turf. Careless was really game and stubborn in the stretch. He just faced a better horse today. Careless finished second a length and a quarter clear of the third place finisher Pedro’s Speedster. Pedro’s Speedster closed from the back with Rapid Grey he just could not close as fast finishing third, five lengths behind the winner.

Race: 2636.1016 GSR Derby– Grade I – $500,000
Track: Texas
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old
Distance: A mile and one half on the Dirt

Well I thought the favorites were throw outs here and liked several of the long shots. That came back to bite me a little as Mt. Jagged ran down the front runners to score a nice length and a half win. When the gates opened Brilliant went out and set an honest pace with One Bold Rush not too far away.

Brilliant and One Bold Rush surged away from the field around the turn for home and into the stretch. Brilliant was all out and holding on stubbornly in the stretch. The closers were now starting to close as Mt. Jagged and Extremely Awesome were closing quickly after trailing the early pace about nine lengths off the pace.

Just as One Bold Rush was wearing away at Brilliant Mt. Jagged swooped past them in the final yards to get the win. One Bold Rush finished second, Brilliant was two and a quarter lengths behind the winner in third. Extremely Awesome closed strong for fourth just two and a half lengths back.

Race: 2643.0314 Three Smokestacks Stakes – Grade I – $500,000
Track: Kentucky
Restrictions: Fillies and mares, 3 years old and up
Distance: A mile and one eighth on the Dirt

Deputy Paunchi scores her first stakes win in a big way. The five year old daughter of Deputy Minister kept in close touch of the early pace took over in the stretch and did not let up running strong to the wire winning by a length and three quarters. Part of the early stalkers was the favorite English Bark but Deputy Paunchi put her away. In the stretch it was The other favorite Dangerous Reward looked to make a run in the stretch but struggled to make up ground on the winner.

Dangerous Reward finished second coming from well off the pace. See Jay Tee rolled home for third at 50/1. A close examination of See Jay Tee and you know the odds maker was not paying attention. See Jay Tee closed well and to finish third two and three quarters lengths behind the winner.

Race: 2643.0315 Scottsdale BB Stakes – Grade I – $500,000
Track: Kentucky
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old and up
Distance: Six furlongs on the Dirt

Empire of the Sun turned a good stalking trip into a very good win. Empire was never far off the early pace set by Atakachaw. Atakachaw was pressed the entire away. Empire of the Sun was in sixth only two and a quarter lengths back. Atakachaw shook off the early pressure taking little more than a length lead into the stretch with Empire of the Sun close behind. Also moving up quickly were Wonderboy DJ and Navy Man.

Atakachaw held strong most of the stretch but could not hold off Empire of the Sun who got by to win by a length over Atakachaw. Wonderboy DJ and Navy Man were flying late bit it was too late. Wonderboy DJ was third a length and a quarter back and Navy Man was fourth a length and a half back.   

Race: 2643.0316 Drakon Grade I – $500,000
Track: Kentucky
Restrictions: Fillies and mares, 3 years old
Distance: Six and one half furlongs on the Dirt

They Call Me Magic came from off the pace to just get passed the stubborn pace setter Calculus Guru. Calculus Guru was fast away early moving a length and a half clear from the field in the early going. She had managed to edge away to a two length lead entering the stretch with They Call Me Magic picking up the chase. Crafty Kitten was starting to roll around the turn from well off the pace and Berzerk Gold was also well back early and rolling late. They Call Me Magic just kept gaining on Guru in the stretch with the two eye to eye in the final yards. These two were battling hard and Crafty Kitten was flying on the out side. It took a photo but They Call Me Magic pulled out the victory by a nostril over tough luck Calculus Guru. Crafty Kitten was just three quarter lengths back in third with Berzerk Gold getting fourth two lengths back.