SSM Turf ($150.000 Purse)
GP- For Four Year Olds and Upward Foaled in FL
One Mile and One Sixteenth on the Turf
January 20, 2018

Awaken jumped out to the early lead right from the gate, and would never look back en route to winning the SSM Turf. It had been a successful running style for him when he ran under the Mb Stables silks, but in his first race for new trainer Hambletonian Stable on New Year’s Eve, he did not run exactly that style. With more time together since being acquired in the auction, Hambletonian sent him out to the lead in this small four-horse field, and it resulted in a trip to the winners circle. Aboard the winner was L H Colon, and for each of the trainer and jockey, it is their first win in the stake. The time of the victory was 1:39.94. Given its history, its tough to compare winning times of previous years. It ranks of second of the last four that were run here at GP at exactly this distance. Let’s take a look!

(1/4 Mile- :24.06)- Our eventual winner, Awaken, jumps right out to the lead for Hambletonian Stable, and he never needs to over-exert himself to do so. The longshot Royal Sevens, from Sizing Europe Lodge, runs with him down the frontstretch and into the turn, though ultimately drops off. This allows Awaken to pull out to a two length advantage over Royal Sevens, who looks to be a bit restrained at this juncture. The other two, Private Sector (Allinthegate) and Red Zebell (Hambletonian Stable) are unhurried, but only three lengths off the lead themselves.

(½ Mile- :47.64)- Awaken turns it on just a little bit over the second quarter of the race, and has now opened up an impressive four length lead. The new second place horse is his stablemate Red Zebell, who made the pass of Royal Sevens soon after they hit a quarter mark. Royal Sevens is content to run in the third position now, about five and a half lengths off the lead. Our trailer is Private Sector, but he’s known to be a closer, so being seven lengths out for him at this juncture is not necessarily a problem.

(Top Of Stretch, 1.5F To Go)- Awaken is continuing to look real good, and continues to maintain his lead, if not extending it somewhat. He cruises down the backstretch, and around the turn with a convincing advantage as six furlongs goes in 1:10.63. The only one looking like they were about to mount a charge is Private Sector, and that is to be expected. Private Sector ran even with Red Zebell at the top of the stretch, and had approximately five lengths to do it. Royal Sevens was only a length behind them.

(Finish- 1:39.94)- It was that easy for Awaken. No one was there to challenge him, and he cruises to this victory by about two lengths. Private Sector is second, but there was never an emphatic closing bid. He still trailed by four with a furlong to go, and only cut into the lead by half in the stretch, never being close to Awaken. Royal Sevens actually stayed with him, as he was a length behind him at the top of the stretch, and is at the finish as well to be third. Red Zebell was a nearby fourth.

About The Winner: Awaken, trained by Hambletonian Stable and ridden to victory by L H Colon, is a four year old gelding by Smart App, and out of Irrevocable. He was bred in Florida by Mb Stables as a second quarter two year old, and acquired in the December 2017 auction by Hambletonian Stable for $59.100. Congratulations to the connections. For Awaken, the win is his second in six starts, and is his first stake win of any sort. His career earnings are now $147.460.

Track: Firm
Time: :24   :47³  1:10³  1:39⁴

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 1 – 2 Paid 6.10

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded