ONT Colleen Stakes (Grade 3)- $150.000 Purse
WO- For Fillies Three Years Old
One Mile on the Turf
August 22, 2015

There was a point in today’s ONT Colleen Stakes where most people in the grandstands were wondering what was going on with their overwhelming 2/5 favorite, Broomsticks Copy.  She was supposed to run away with the race, but in the backstretch he dropped several lengths off the lead.  It appeared then that the race was setting up perfectly for the second choice, Geek Watch, but in the stretch jockey J Stein reminded his filly that she was a Breeders Cup Champion, and she came thundering back in the stretch to get up at the wire just in the nick of time.  Congratulations go out to Drabfantasy, who wins this stake for the first time, as does jockey J Stein.  We won’t tell them that the winning time of 1:33.89 was the slowest in the stake’s history when contested on firm turf.  Broomsticks Copy did carry four more pounds then did any other winner.  Here is how the race was won!

1st- 3- Broomsticks Copy (2/5)- Started well and was initially stalking Firebrand for Drabfantasy, but once they made it past the quarter mile mark, it almost looked like the jockey, J Stein, went for a hard restrain and pulled her back several lengths.  Over the second part of the backstretch run, we were beginning to wonder if something might have been wrong with her.  Stabilized in the turn, and then at the top of the stretch, began to close in ever so slightly.  It was in the final furlong that Broomsticks Copy put it in another gear, deciding that there was no way she was gong to let Geek Watch win this race.  The rival put up a game fight, but like the BC Champion that she is, the filly was able to get up just in time to steal the race away from Geek Watch at the line.  Broomsticks Copy is a three year old filly by Broomstick Nebraska, and out of An Old Copy (by El Gran Senor).  She was bred in New Mexico by Drabfantasy, the only trainer in which she has ever known.  Congratulations to all the connections!

2nd- 2- Geek Watch (9/5)- Began the race midpack for Nakamura Stables, and advanced to second in the backstretch when Broomsticks Copy began to pull back.  Ran well in the turn, and started to reel in Firebrand.  With one and a half furlongs to go, she was finally able to complete the pass, and just had to hold on until the wire.  However Broomsticks Copy was resurgent, and getting slightly closer with every stride.  Geek Watch and D Moran did their best to hold them off, but in the end they would only be second best in the photo.

3rd- 1- Lisilsaya (104/1)- Drops to the back early for Sarah Stables, and was about seven lengths back over the course of the backstretch.  Only advanced about a length while in the turn.  In the turn and in the stretch, she got a little bit closer to the leaders, but only in the final furlong did she make much advancement.  In that time, she was quite impressive and full of run, but she had conceded too much ground early that she would have had to make up.

4th- 4- Firebrand (8/1)- Quickest out of the gate for trainer Manco Segundo, setting the opening 1/4 mile in :23.52, and she would turn it up a bit over the second quarter, taking the half in :46.88.  Continued to lead at 3/4, but in the stretch she began to lose it.   Once she was passed by Geek Watch, Firebrand seemed to lose interest.

Track: Firm
Time: :23²  :46⁴  1:10   1:33⁴

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 3 – 2 Paid 3.10

Scratched: None

Full running order selected by NS

— NS

Categories: Grade III