The Inaugural Running of The Niagara Stakes

July 25, 2021 13:20

WO Race #2 $100.000 1¹/₈ Turf

4YO+  122 Lbs (plus penalties)

Track Record-1:43.91 (Bronze Sabre-2010)

Stakes Record-1:45.11 (By The Night O Bay-2021)

Taking advantage of a smart ride by E.J. Wilson, Oval Express Farms‘ By The Night O Bay claimed the inaugural edition of the $100.000 Niagara Stakes at WO.  Wilson’s move to clear the horses on her inside just before the turn proved to be check-mate on the 5yo gelded son of Bay O Fire.

Mucho Baked broke running and quickly opened an early two-length lead over a pack of four horses with By The Night O Bay being the widest.  Through an opening half in :46.98, Mucho Baked had things his own way on the long WO backstretch.  It was at that moment, that Wilson made the decisive move in the race when she urged her mount past the three horses to By The Night O Bay‘s inside to secure position just off of the leader’s flank.

By The Night O Bay took advantage of that bold move and struck the front after three-quarters went in 1:10.10 as the horses got ready to enter the stretch.  Anyone that wanted to go with him would be forced to go wide as Mucho Baked continued on and kept his position on the rail.  With a furlong to go, By The Night O Bay had put a length between himself and Mucho Baked and only two of those runners further back were making a move: Lord City out wide and Hindenberg Tour down on the inside.

By The Night O Bay was still a length up on the stubborn Mucho Baked when Lord City became the greater threat in the last ¹/₈ of a mile.  Lord City would continue his run, but he would only get to the winner’s neck at the wire.  Mucho Baked held off Hindenberg Tour for show honors.

With the win, By The Night O Bay secures his first stakes victory and now sports a career record of 22-4-0-0 for earnings of $103.000.  Congratulations to Oval Express Farms and By The Night O Bay, the first winners of the $100.000 Niagara Stakes!

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES