October 6, 2015
If you went simply on last efforts alone, you had to assume that Iron Mann would be a major factor in the Grade I Shadwell Turf Mile at KEE and coming off a seventh in the WO Mile, but with a mammoth 102-speed rating, he was all out to score his first top-level win and did so in style, coming between rivals to win by a half-length. From the same sire as champion Bay Bound, multiple Grade I winner Iron Kaki and current BC Distaff contender Years Go Bye, he was good over off-turf at BEL and SAR but excelled over the firm turf here while earning the same 102-mark, and a spot in the BC Mile starting gate over the same course and distance in a few weeks time.
There is such a short run into the first turn at KEE that the outside speed has to press forward early or be caught very wide, and both Ponder (8.25) and Dogs Infowarrior (7.95) knew this and took the early lead with A Chrystal Brooklyn (10.25) in a very tough spot early. Hold The Mach (8.50) broke well from midpack while Tiberius Claudius (*5.80) was sharp from the rail and as everyone scrambled through a first quarter-mile in 23.17, it was Ponder who emerged with the lead by nearly a length. Into the backstretch, the entire field seemed to settle with only American Horror (20.20) really wide into the track and as the leader led the field to a half-mile in 46.28, Dogs Infowarrior looked ready to pounce with Hold The Mach tracking in a dream spot between rivals. Spinning around the tight KEE turf, Ponder held his own and forced the hand of everyone behind him and while Tiberius Claudius lacked room, Hold The Mach had the energy and after six-furlongs in 1:09.41, he looked like the best shot to overtake the longtime leader. Mojoboa (13.00) came rolling wide with a thrust at the head of the lane as Dogs Infowarrior looked to quicken and as he tracked wider into the course, a seam opened up for an emerging Iron Mann (9.80) and with a decisive burst, the three-year-old exploded in the final furlong and came rocketing home to a half-length win over a very game Hold The Mach. Mojoboa was wide into the track while third from Dogs Infowarrior, with Ponder holding fifth over a solid Tiberius Claudius, who lacked room at the head of the stretch. Finding Faith (10.50) came late with Lincoln (45.15), Make Change (11.60) and March Madness (8.85) never moved from the inside, A Chrystal Brooklyn and American Horror were wide, and Two Smoking Barrels (16.85) and Mazula Ruler (15.20) showed little late.
The field for the BC Mile is clearly shaping up and both Shadwell Turf Mile winner Iron Mann and runner-up Hold The Mach will be there, with the former guaranteed his spot but the latter in clear form as well with solid runs all season long. For the winner, it was a return to form after falling short in the WO Mile and now, he knows he has the ability to close into any pace and that is crucial with the expected full field and a knowledge of the KEE turf.
Congratulations goes out to owner Aer Stables and their three-year-old colt Iron Mann, a blazing winner of the Grade I Shadwell Turf Mile at KEE!
Prediction March Madness / Tiberius Claudius / Finding Faith
Winner Iron Mann
Three-year-old gray colt
Ironbound-Barbra Ann (Barbarino)
Owner Aer Stables
Time 23.17, 46.28, 1:09:41, 1:32.99
Overall
Iron Mann 9.80 inside run, found room, driving
Hold The Mach 8.50 pressed early, late momentum, caught
Mojoboa 13.00 wide rally, up for third
Dogs Infowarrior 7.95 took his shot, stalled late
Ponder 8.25 set pace, weakened in final furlong
Tiberius Claudius *5.80 no late gains
Finding Faith 10.50 even effort
Lincoln 45.15 midpack
Make Change 11.60 stuck to rail
March Madness 8.85 outrun
A Chrystal Brooklyn 10.25 wide run throughout
American Horror 20.20 wide, no late response
Two Smoking Barrels 16.85 no factor
Mazula Ruler 15.20 no factor
Triple T Racing 🙂
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
