Read Stakes (Grade 2)- $250.000 Purse
DMR- For Three Year Olds and Upward
One Mile and One Eighth on the Turf
July 21, 2019

The Read Stakes brought together a group of horses that have been running very well of late, and promised to be an excellent race, and one that we will refer back to several times as we approach the BC. We would not be disappointed with the race, and in the end, it would be the veteran Going Gone, making his 27th career start, earning the win. The victory follows up a win in the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile as he keeps getting better with every start. The winning trainer is John Henry, in his second tour of duty of owning this horse that traded hands quite often in his younger days. It is his first win in the race, and the second for jockey R Bejarano, who also won in 2014 with the late Pip Bull. The time of the victory was 1:45.14, in line with other editions of the race. Here’s a look at it.

(½ Mile- :47.26)- The early leader out of the gate would be Blame It On Luck, for Mb Stables, but by the time they reached the first turn, Decision In Five, for Nakamura Stables, had gone by on the outside and would lead at a half mile by a length. Behind the top two, sitting patiently off the lead were our eventual race winner, John Henry’s Going Gone, as well as one of the other favorites for this race, Maxmillion Farm’s Winter Solstice. It was a gap of the two to the other horses in the field, who were running three wide. On The Spot (Mb Stables) was slightly ahead here while in the outside lane. Lets Do It Bog Boy (RNP Stables) was in between horses, and The Ego Has Landed (TwinTowersRacing ) landed on the rail.

(3/4 Mile- 1:10.22)- Down the backstretch, there is not much new action as Decision In Five continues to lead the way. Horses maintained their positions, but as we approached the turn, we started to see how things might shape up from the run around it, as both Going Gone and Winter Solstice seemed as though they would run to the outside of the two leaders. Of the back three, Lets Do It Big Boy seemed to be the most interested, but no one yet was making much of a move.

(Top Of Stretch, 1.5F To Go)- Rounding the turn, both Decision In Five and Blame It On Luck were still looking good, and it did not seem as though they were about to go anywhere. Their two stalkers had moved to the outside, but as of yet had not really done anything with them. Winter Solstice and Going Gone were still side by side and matching their sides, and gradually getting closer, but each still had a length to make up in the stretch. Lets Do It Big Boy had made up a small amount of ground and seemed to be running well, but had a tough assignment given that no one in front were showing signs of tiring. On The Spot and The Ego Has Landed were not losing ground, but would need a heroic effort at this point to win.

(Finish- 1:45.14)- In the stretch, we get an exciting four horse battle most of the way. Decision In Five and Blame It On Luck were caught by Going Gone and Winter Solstice, but were making them earn it with everything they head. Nearing the wire, Going Gone would be just a little bit better then Winter Solstice, and pulled a half length in front. Blame It On Luck would also maintain his stride a little better then Decision In Five. In the end, and in an entertaining battle, the veteran Going Gone would prevail and get the win! Blame It On Luck was not lucky, but resilient to maintain second over Winter Solstice. Decision In Five can only get fourth. Lets Do It Big Boy got close late, but this race did not end up suiting his style, and he is only fifth. On The Spot is next, followed by The Ego Has Landed.

About The Winner- Going Gone, trained by John Henry and ridden to victory by R Bejarano, is a five year old gelding by the great Cherokee Sunset, and is out of Faith On The Move. He was bred in California by Team 7 Illusions as a second quarter two year old, and acquired by John Henry, the second time, in private sales from Team 7 Illusions, after passing through other hands as well, for $330.000 in August 2018. The win is his ninth in 27 starts, his fourth stake win, and third graded win. His career earnings are now $944.720.

Track: Firm
Time: :47¹  1:10¹  1:33²  1:45

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 2 – 4 Paid 62.50
$1 Trifecta: 2 – 4 – 3 Paid 125.90

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES