8/15/202

  2   AP           Secretariat Stakes (GI)

             $500.000    3yo           1m   Turf         121lbs

Scratches changed the complexion of the Secretariat Stakes (GI) with both Grandstand Jockey and my top choice Kimura declaring from this big turf race.  In the end, it was a similar outcome with a different horse as Mb Stables’ Bold Express closed like a freight train and drew off to win by two lengths in a final time of 1:36³ for the flat mile on a soggy, soft, AP turf course.  Post time favorite Hammerfest had a clear lead at the furlong marker but was run down late and ended in a dead-heat for second with Show Shocker.  Long-shot Sky Dust took the fourth spot at 30/1 odds.

The horses were loaded, the flag was up and as the gates sprung open it was Fog Machine on the early gas from the outside, Hammerfest from the rail, Ohtani just off of that one and King Que Niagra on his inside, Sweet Sweat was next, the the trio of Strobringer, Bold Express between horses and Show Shocker from the inside.  Hollywood Estrella just behind that group, then Appreciate, and Sky Dust was the early trailer.

Around the clubhouse turn and on to the back stretch, the field had five and a half furlongs to run with Fog Machine and Hammerfest in a front end battle.  Gap of four back to King Que Niagra, Ohtani between horses and Hollywood Estrella four wide.  Stormbringer just ing behind that trio, Sweet Sweat on the hedge, another length to Show Shocker, three across behind that one with Appreciate between horses, Bold Express towards the inside and Sky Dust four wide.

Continue down the backside and nearing the far turn with a big more than three furlongs to run, Hammerfest up the rail to take the lead by a length, Fog Machine losing ground, then a gap of four back to Hollywood Estrella still traveling wide, King Que Niagra from the rail, Ohtani between horses, Stormbringer another length back, just in behind that trio, Sweet Sweat still skimming the inside, another length and a half to Show Shocker, Bold Express between horses, Appreciate three side and Sky Dust still last and widest of all.

Around the far turn and now into the lane with a bit more than a furlong to run and Hammerfest opened up a four length lead and looked ready to run off and hide.  The remainder of the field was within two length of each other… it was a matter of who had something left and who was done for the day.

Deep stretch and to the finish, Hammerfest was in front but his lead was evaporating faster than cold beer at my family reunion… 3..2..1.. gone!  Bold Express went flying by and continued running hard to the wire, winning by two lengths.  Hammerfest was trying to go on with it but Show Shocker nailed him on the wire and those two had to settle for a dead-heat for the place.  It was another half-length back to Sky Dust in fourth, then Sweet Sweat closing a bit of ground wide to be fifth, Stormbringer sixth, King Que Niagra and Appreciate in another dead-heat for seventh, Ohtani ninth, Hollywood Estrella tenth and Fog Machine tired to be eleventh.

Bold Exress is a 3yo bay gelded so of Carson Express – Bold Deciever, by Beyond Brave, and he was bred by Two Hearts One Love in Cal.  This was his fourth win from nine starts and he now has earnings of $704.600.  Acquired prior to his racing career via private sale for $45.000, the Mb trained turf monster looks ready for bigger stages… perhaps at KEE this fall.  Stay tuned.

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Soft                 Time: :24   :48¹  1:12¹  1:36³
$1 Exacta: 6 – 1 Paid 14.70, 6 – 5 Paid 18.80           $1 Trifecta: 6 – 1 – 5 Paid 34.20, 6 – 5 – 1 Paid 67.50
Scratched: Grandstand Jockey, Kimura

Bold Express settled well back off of the lead while racing in hand, responded when asked into the lane, bold move just inside the furlong marker, drew away late.  Hammerfest forced the pace just off of the leader while saving ground, took over into the far turn, drew away to a clear lead, caught inside the furlong marker, settled for a dead head for the place.  Show Shocker rated back off of the pace, moved up through the far turn, good closing effort, dead head for the place.  Sky Dust showed no interest for six furlongs, best foot too late.  Sweet Sweat gave an even effort while no threat.  Stormbringer raced mid-pack, no excuse.  King Que Niagra tracked the pace to the furlong marker, tired from there.  Appreciate was outrun.  Ohtani raced just behind the pace, tired.  Hollywood Estrella off a step slow, up to track the pace to the top of the lane, tired.  Fog Machine broke alertly on or near the lead to the far turn, tired.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES