The New Orleans Handicap- Grade II
FG Race 12 1 1/8M Dirt
Purse $400.000
Four Year Olds and Up
1st Bay Of Plenty, trained by Team 7 Illusions
In his first time stretching out to a route, he got up to win by a head. After sitting back 2 lengths most of the trip, he began to make up ground. Down the stretch he found a path along the inside finally getting the better of the pacesetters in the last sixteenth of a mile to win by a head in a time of 1:47.49 and earning the winners share of $240.00
2nd Jason Bourne, trained by Maxmillion Farm
After camping out in midpack for most of the way, he swung to the outside in the stretch drive which may have cost him the win, as the winner found a path on the inside. He still ran a very gallant second though and showed a nice kick down the lane. Look for him to improve next start and maybe become a horse to win some graded stakes.
3rd Stranger, trained by Sanny Village
After stalking the pace in second the whole way around the FG oval, he and Seminole dueled the entire length of the stretch and were eventually collared by the first and second place finishers. Although he never did get by Seminole, they ended up dead heating for third place each earning $40.00 in the process.
3rd Seminole, trained by On The Map Racing
After breaking a step slow he was sent to the front by his rider J R Velasquez. After going through the half mile in 47 2/5ths and the six furlongs 1:11 he was still on the lead down as they came down the stretch. A mile in 1:35 and being pressed by Stranger the whole may have finally gotten to him in the final eighth of a mile when he was passed for the win.
Summary
After a blanket finish at the wire, the winner ended up being Bay Of Plenty, a horse who was stretching out to 1 1/8 for the first time. It will be interesting to see if he can keep stretching out to classic distance of 1 1/4. It will also be interesting to see if any other will be able to make the jump to graded stakes action
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
