September 28, 2015

The Grade I Vosburgh guaranteed the winner a spot in the starting gate for the BC Sprint at the end of October and while many had already earned enough points to get in, Speedballz was not among them and he used his victory on Saturday as a big step towards the biggest race of his budding career. From the first crop of new sire Roxy Moon, who has already produced Grade I winning turf star Steel Moon, he was already a three-time stakes winner before taking down the lion’s share of this $400.000 purse, which only came with a 96-speed rating but nonetheless proves that he can handle the best in the big events.

The scramble was on early in the Vosburgh as outside runners Trumpits (50.35) and Rhythm Kathology (30.65) tried to make their way forward with Trench Admiral (*2.75) in the center and Steadyashegoes (4.15) to his outside. The opening furlong saw no one from the inside make any move and that forced everyone wide to move down to the race, which led to Trumpits setting the opening split of 22.42 in front of Trench Admiral inside. Sweep The Event (21.35) inched up methodically four-wide around the turn as Rhythm Kathology failed to find any more and as the field moved into the stretch, it appeared to be a two-horse race with Trench Admiral battling his way to the lead. The half-mile came up in a rapid 45.08 and as Sweep The Event came wide, Steadyashegoes tried to move up and was shadowed by Wild Glory (5.75), who started to make a daring run from near the back. Inside the final furlong, Trench Admiral was a length to the good with Trumpits still trying to hang on and no one really closing but in the blink of an eye, the pace absolutely collapsed and out of the clouds came Speedballz (25.65), who rocketed past everyone for a half-length win. Trench Admiral got caught napping late and had to settle for second while Wild Glory was too late to the party, but wound up third over both Moon Landing (3.40) and Sweep The Event. Slow And Slower (19.25) closed briefly, Steadyashegoes never came through, Caymanas Park (20.10) was wide the entire way and Trumpits backed up to finish near the back with Domination Nation (7.85) and Rhythm Kathology.

The pace of the Grade I Vosburgh slowed noticeably in the final furlong and Speedballz was able to capitalize perfectly and score his second Graded Stakes win since being purchased for $125.000 in July. Even without the guaranteed spot, he has enough points to make the BC Sprint field but so do the other top five finishers and that makes this a key race from a pace, stamina and post position scenario, since anything can change with the longer run into the far turn at KEE.

Congratulations goes out to owner Nordyke Racing and their three-year-old colt Speedballz, a last gasp winner of the Grade I Vosburgh at BEL!

Prediction                      Trench Admiral / Moon Landing / Steadyashegoes

Winner                           Speedballz

                                          Three-year-old chestnut colt

                                          Roxy Moon-The Five (A P Hope)

Owner                             Nordyke Racing

Time                                22.42, 45.08, 56.83, 1:09.12

Overall

Speedballz                      25.65 nowhere early, came through late

Trench Admiral             *2.75 set pace, looked home, caught

Wild Glory                       5.75 wide rally, up for third

Moon Landing               3.40 minor late run

Sweep The Event            21.35 stalled in drive

Slow And Slower            19.25 even effort

Steadyashegoes              4.15 no late response

Caymanas Park              20.10 wide run

Trumpits                           50.35 pressed, faded

Domination Nation       7.85 outrun

Rhythm Kathology         30.65 brief early speed

Triple T Racing 🙂

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES