Big Race Recaps 2650

Race: 2650.5815 King Classic – Grade II – $200,000
Track: Germany
Restrictions: Fillies and mares, 3 years old and up
Distance: A mile and three sixteenths on the Dirt

Chopping Hill makes Meguire LOL! In a very close race long shot Chopping Hill scored a nose win earning her first graded stakes victory. It does not happen often but the five horses I mentioned in the preview were the first five across the wire. Chopping Hill had the look of a live runner before the race and backed that up with a strong run here.

A couple of long shots set and pressed the pace with favorites Tete for Storm and Pronunciation in close attendance. Chopping Hill was near the back of the back a little over ten lengths behind the early pace setters. Going into the turn for home the two favorites moved up with Pronunciation taking the lead at the top of the stretch. Tete for Storm moved up to second but was not gaining on Pronunciation.  

Pronunciation was clear but Chopping Hill was gaining, and gaining, and gaining. It looked like Pronunciation had enough to get to the wire but Chopping Hill kept churning away and in the final step put the nose in front for the upset win. Pronunciation was second with Tete for Storm along for the show three and three quarter lengths behind the top two. Fourth went to Topicounts runner Traveller and fifth went to Northerly Nicole.   

Race: 2650.0115 Cherry Limb Stakes – Grade II – $250,000
Track: California
Restrictions: All horses, 3 years old
Distance: A mile and one eighth on the Turf

War City scores another victory for the long shots this week. Looking at his past performances though he probably should have gotten more respect than he did prior to the race. He will not have to worry about that now. Scoobis Zig set a solid pace clear of the field by nearly five lengths at one time. The favorite Puppet Regime lead the group chasing Scoobis early.

War City was keeping company with Like a Porcupine mid pack a little more than seven lengths behind Scoobis Zig. War City and Like a Porcupine moved in tandem. Scoobis Zig carried a four length lead into the stretch with War City and Like a Porcupine moving fast. It was not a day for the Puppet as he stalled in the stretch. War City and Like a Porcupine swallowed up the pace setter mid stretch. Like a Porcupine just could not match strides with War City late as War City edged away to claim a one length win.

Like a Porcupine ran his best race since winning last years Breeder’s Bowl Juvenile Turf. It was a career best speed figure for Like a Porcupine so maybe things are looking up for the Porcupine. Red Loop cut back a bit in distance and just got a nose in front of Soobis Zig for the show three lengths behind the winner.  

Race: 2650.1615 Big Hill Stakes – Grade II – $225,000
Track: Washington
Restrictions: All horses, 2 years old
Distance: Seven furlongs on the Dirt

Northern Blast proved to be the best today but had to pass a stubborn long shot in the process. Toxicsuperfreakout was the long shot but for a long shot he is an accomplished two year old. Freakout set a torrid pace getting clear by two lengths early. He did not really slow down after that edging to a near four length lead entering the stretch.

Northern Blast was the only runner that could threaten the Toxicsuperfreakout. He did more than threaten running him down in deep stretch to beat Toxicsuperfreakout by three quarters of a length. It was a very impressive run for Northern Blast and he will be one to keep tabs on in the future. Toxicsuperfreakout was second four and a quarter lengths clear of Husker Du who closed to get the show.