8/1/2020

 6   ALB      ALB Handicap

 $200.000    3yo&Up    1  1/8m    Dirt          Hcp Weights (118-121)

Don’t question his tactics… Mb Stables takes Salar de Uyuni, who had been sprinting on the turf of late, back to a two-turn main track race and…  kaboom… winner, winner, chicken dinner.  Showing the speed he’d been using in those turf springs, the gray gelding took the ALB Hcp by two lengths in a final time of 1:47² for the mile and an eighth stakes.  My top picks continued to hit the board but miss the win, as Range Of The Sun was second, three lengths better than Dastardly Havoc in third. 

The bell rang, the gates flew open and we off and running with Dustu on the early speed, Range Of The Sun giving chase, Niagara Chief, Salar de Uyuni and Dastardly Havoc from the inside, High Plains Drifter was next and Shot Blocker the early trailer.

Around the clubhouse turn and onto the backside with six furlongs to run, Dustu in front by a neck, Range Of The Sun applying pressure from his outside, then a length and a half back to Salar de Uyuni, Niagara Chief next to that one, another length back to Dastardly Havoc, two more back to High Plains Drifter and Shot Blocker continued to bring up the rear.

Moving down the backside and into the far turn with three furlongs to run, Range Of The Sun up to take the lead by a length and a half, Salar de Uyuni now in gear and moving up quickly as Dustu was moving in the wrong direction.  A gap of two back to Dastardly Havoc on the outside of Niagara Chief, then three more back to High Plans Drifter and Shot Blocker.

Around the far turn and into the lane, the field was nearing the furlong marker and we had a two horse race to the finish… Salar de Uyuni up to take the lead while drifting out a bit, Range Of The Sun trying to battle back along the rail, a long gap back to Dastardly Havoc, Dustu , High Plains Drifter from the outside, Niagara Chief from the inside and Shot Blocker between that pair.

Deep stretch and to the finish, this was all about Salar de Uyuni as the gray powered home and went under the wire in front by two widening lengths.  Range Of The Sun took the place, then three lengths back to Dastardly Havoc in third, Shot Blocker a neck back in fourth then High Plains Drifter fifth, Niagara Chief sixth and Dustu tiring to close this one out.

$2 Mutuel Prices: 

Track: Fast                Time: :47³  1:11¹  1:35²  1:47²
$1 Exacta: 1 – 5 Paid 112.20            $1 Trifecta: 1 – 5 – 3 Paid 197.70
Scratched: None

Salar de Uyuni away well, sat behind the pace, moved up to take over at the furlong maker, pulling away late.  Range Of The Sun tracked the pace, lead into the lane, headed at the furlong marker, second best.  Dastardly Havoc rated back to mid-pack, flattened out late holding third.  Shot Blocker rated back after the start, best foot too late.  High Plains Drifter evenly while no threat.  Niagara Chief some early foot, tired.  Dustu broke alertly to take the early lead, headed, folded.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded