July 17, 2015
Only one runner from the first two legs of the Canadian TC came back in the Breeders Stakes, which the switch to the turf and it was a battle royale in the final furlong between two recent stakes winners, with Consus getting the better of Skhyperion in the final strides to post the biggest win of his career. A son of Grade II winner Phuneois, who has already produced a few stakes winners, he came into WO off two straight wins and backed it up going long, earning a modest 94-speed rating but the lion’s share of a huge purse which upped his bankroll to more than $500.000 in the process.
Skhyperion (6.85) only took a furlong to grab the lead in the Breeders Stakes with Deja Steel (1.80) hot on his heels in second and First Family (2.20) outside in third and as the quintet made their way up to the backstretch, everyone looked comfortable and settled for the 12-furlong journey. The two leaders sprinted clear and were virtually neck and neck into the towering backside with Skhyperion leading slightly and everyone else was single file through the first half-mile in 48.96. Deja Steel inched forward but never quite got to the lead past six-furlongs in 1:12.93 and with positions unchanged around the far turn, Skhyperion looked strong and put away his rival to the inside. By the time the field rang up the 1 ¼ miles in 2:00.76, the leader almost a length in front but a new shooter was starting to emerge from way back as Consus (*1.65) started to run on with just over three-lengths to make up. Deja Steel tried to sprint but could not and both Planet Java (65.70) and First Family were spent so it was left to two to slug it out for the victory and with sheer determination, Consus was able to make up the ground and run down Skhyperion for the win by a half-length, with Deja Steel only a length back in third.
Consus needed every bit of the WO stretch to run down a huge leader and score his third straight win and fifth in his last six and with the Breeders Stakes behind him, now comes the big test of his marathon turf skills. He could come back on quick notice in a race like the Regent over this same course but a race like the Hirsch Turf Classic might be his best chance of getting into the BC and he knows the course well, with his win in the Manila two starts back.
Congratulations goes out to owner Sarah Stables and their three-year-old colt Consus, a charging winner of the Breeders Stakes at WO!
Prediction Deja Steel / Consus / Skhyperion
Winner Consus
Three-year-old bay colt
Phuneios-Pussy Willow (Pointman)
Owner Sarah Stables
Time 48.96, 1:12.93, 2:00.76, 2:25.36 (NSR)
Overall
Consus *1.65 far back early, wide rally, just up
Skhyperion 6.85 set pace, looked clear, pipped in final strides
Deja Steel 1.80 pressed, held well late
Planet Java 65.70 no threat
First Family 2.20 midpack early, faded
Triple T Racing 🙂
Categories: Ungraded
