GP 10 McKnight Stakes (GIII)
$200.000 4yo&Up 1 1/2m InTurf 124lbs +penalties
Stalk and fire… pretty much the story of the McKnight Stakes (GIII) run at a mile and a half on the Hallendale FL turf course, here at GP. Raj Action Packed, trained by Arindel, sat right off of the lead throughout most of this one, then moved past runner-up Taniwha to win by a neck in a final time of 2:24.88 for the marathon distance. Lets Do It Big was a length back in third, closing late to grab a share of the purse.
Away from the gate with Raj Action Packed showing early speed, Wired Up and Taniwha on the gas as well, Happy Model, The Monkii Man and Stallsome with inside foot, Warino and Lets Do It Big Boy just behind that threesome, then Devilish Details and Major Glory was away slowest of all.
Around the far turn the first time, a mile left to run and Taniwha was up to take the lead by a length and a half. Raj Action Packed just to the inside of that one, drop over to the rail and Wired Up was saving ground. A length back to Happy Model, The Monkii Man and Stallsome still moving together, another two lengths back to Warino, Devilish Details between horses, Let Do It Big Boy on the rail and a gap back to the back marker, Major Glory.
By the stands and moving around the clubhouse turn, five furlongs left to run, and Taniwha still showing the way by two length. Raj Action Packed content to watch that one, Happy Model now on the outside of that one, a length back to Stallsome, Wired Up on the rail and The Monkii Man three wide and that group moving as one. Another gap of two back to Lets Do It Big Boy skimming the hedge, Devilish Details between horses and Warino three wide, as Major Glory could see them all, eight lengths from the leader.
Down the backside and moving into the far turn, they flew past the five sixteenths pole with Taniwha leading by a length. Raj Action Packed was inching forward with every stride, a gap of two and a half to Stallsome, The Monkii Man on his flank, Happy Model next to that one, Wired Up continued to hug the rail, Lets Do It Big Boy on his flank, another length to Devilish Details, Major Glory beginning to show some life and Warino put the cue in the rack for this one.
Inside the final furlong and to the finish, this was a two-horse affair with Taniwha on the lead, Raj Action Packed moving up to look that one in the eye and the run to the wire was on, with these two battling it out. As they hit the wire, Raj Action Packed had just a bit more on this afternoon and took the win by a neck. Taniwha was a very game second, a length in front of the late closing Lets Do It Boy. Another length back, Stallsome was fourth, then the Monkii Man in fifth, Wired Up in sixth, Devilish Details in seventh, Major Glory in eighth, Happy Model tiring late to be ninth and Warino closed this one out.
Raj Action Packed is a 7yo gelded son of Iron Chito – Black Heart, by Kimbo Slice and he was bred by Night Rider Stable in NY. Claimed by his current connections for $25.000, back in Jun of last season, he now shows nine wins from thirty-nine starts, he’s been on the board in twenty seven of those races and has earnings of $1,786.540. Stunning to see this old boy continue to perform at such a level… Congrats to the connections!
$2 Mutuel Prices:
| 6 – Raj Action Packed | 9.50 | 5.20 | 3.50 |
| 10 – Taniwha | 5.80 | 3.70 | |
| 3 – Lets Do It Big Boy | 5.00 |
Track: Firm Time: :481 1:12 2:00 2:244
$1 Exacta: 6 – 10 Paid 25.50 $1 Trifecta: 6 – 10 – 3 Paid 369.50
Scratched: None
Raj Action Packed broke alertly, stalked the pace setter throughout, up late, won driving. Taniwha
took over soon after the start, led to the final 150-yards, could not contain the winner in a game effort. Lets Do It Big Boy was content to sit well back, steady surge around the third turn while no threat to the top pair. Stallsome raced mid-pack, loomed into the lane, no late gain. The Monkii Man was well positioned throughout, no excuse. Devilish Detail was outrun for seven furlongs, passed tiring rivals. Wired Up had a ground saving trip, tired. Major Glory was never involved, outrun. Happy Model tracked just in behind the pace, stopped. Warino showed little while well beaten.
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Categories: Grade III
