5 SA Pasadena Stakes
$200.000 3yo 1m Turf 121lbs +penalties
Fuji, trained by Smokey Stover, used a relentless effort down the lane to get past the field and take the win in Saturday’s Pasadena Stakes at SA, getting the win by a head over Lucky Storm and stopping the timer in 1:332 for the mile on the SoCal turf. One Man Show was another half length back, completing the trifecta.
The field loaded in front of the bright skies and large crowd at SA, and away from the gate Moving Pictures showing speed from the outside, Shocking Verdict and Through The World from the inside, Alms Park with early foot. Big Aspirations in behind that group, then Lucky Storm, Fuji and Declassified from the outside and One Man Show was the early trailer.
Around the clubhouse turn and on to the run down the backside, Through The World used his inside position to zip up and take the lead. Moving Pictures on his flank and applying pressure, Shocking Verdict in behind that duo skimming the rail, Alms Park on his flank and Fuji caught three wide. Lucky Storm skimming the inside, Big Aspirations on his flank and Declassified was now at the rear of the field.
They made their way down the back side and now mid-way on the far turn as Through The World continued to lead from the rail, Moving Pictures not letting that one get away and continuing to force the pace, Fuji now sweeping up three wide with Alms Park to his inside and Shocking Verdict along the rail. Lucky Storm a length off of that group, then Big Aspirations to his outside, One Man Show to his inside and Declassified continued to rail while saving ground.
Down the lane, this one was heating up and bunching up as Fuji moved to the lead nearing the furlong marker. Through The Wold cut the corner and was battling on, Moving Pictures and Lucky Storm tryig to find more… but near the wire, this was a two horse battle between Fuji and Lucky Storm from his outside, and as they hit the wire Fuji was able to get the job done by a long head. Lucky Storm was a very game second with One Man Show taking the third spot. Through The World tired to be fourth then Big Aspirations in fifth, Shocking Velvet in sixth, Declassified seventh, Alms Park in eighth ad Moving Pictures tired to round out the field.
Fuji is a 3yo cold by What Have You Done – Agent Bleu, by Proud Chai, and he was bred in LA by his owner, Smokey Stover. This was his first stakes victory and his third win from five starts, taking his lifetime earnings to $182.100.
$2 Mutuel Prices:
| 7 – Fuji | 8.80 | 4.60 | 3.40 |
| 5 – Lucky Storm | 5.20 | 3.80 | |
| 3 – One Man Show | 5.60 |
Track: Firm Time: :232 :464 1:10 1:332
$1 Exacta: 7 – 5 Paid 29.00 $1 Trifecta: 7 – 5 – 3 Paid 178.60
Scratched: None
Fuji broke in hand, picked his way through the field to strike the front in early stretch, fought off foe late, won driving. Lucky Storm sat well off of the early pace, responded
when asked, hooked the leader and went with that one to the finish while second best. One Man Show lacked early foot, best stride late in a very good effort. Through The World broke alertly, took a short lead and held to mid lane, nothing further late. Big Aspirations never far from the lead while in hand, no improvement. Shocking Verdict close up for six furlongs, tired. Declassified was outrun. Alms Park tracked the early pace, tired. Moving Pictures away alertly, forced the pace, stopped.
Categories: Ungraded
