CA Cup Derby- $250.000 Purse
SA- For Three Year Olds Foaled in CA
One Mile and One Sixteenth on the Dirt
January 30, 2016

Australia Wide is one of the top trainers in the game, and is dubbed “The King” by many.   His list of accomplishments is endless, however there is one notable blemish on his record. A “zero” for TC wins. Now, most people who know Australia Wide’s approach will know the TC chase is not a top priority to the trainer. However, since his next Grade 1 win will be his 100th such victory, it’s a “zero” that certainly stands out, no matter what.   Historically, winners of the CA Cup Derby make it into the TC series. They have not had much success yet in those races, but the odds are pretty good that The Perfect Day, a horse who’s name just sounds like a KYD or BC Champion, will be in a TC event, should the trainer opt to do so.   We saw other impressive horses today in the Withers and Holy Bull, but The Perfect Day can follow the same path.    It is Australia Wide’s first such win in the stake, and the same holds true for jockey E Trujillo. The race winning time of 1:41.48 edged out 2015 winner Son of Laggy for a new stake record. Here is how it went down!

1st- 6- The Perfect Day (5/1)- Today’s winner from Australia Wide was not concerned about the early pace. Jockey E Trujillo kept him at the tail end of the field, and approximately four lengths from the leaders as the run down the backstretch began. He maintained a steady stride during the backstretch, and about midway through it, Trujillo would begin to urge him forward. At the top of the turn, he had moved into the third lane, which was clear, and only a length and a half from the lead. By the top of the stretch, he had become even with the leaders, and it did not take long once in the stretch for him to make a move on by. He wanted to make sure that no other horses could have an excuse, and allowed Lord Byron to have a lane to take his best shot. When Lord Byron began to take it, The Perfect Day found another gear and pulled away even further and would win driving all the way to the line! Hopefully those Withers and Holy Bull winners were watching, because this was an impressive effort. The winning time, again, was 1:41.48! Congratulations to all of the connections! The Perfect Day is a three year old gelding by Quench and out Bee Perfect Swarley. He was bred in California as a second quarter two year old by Pan Farms. He would never race for his breeder, and was sold for $100.000 on the exact same day the 2015 KYD was run. Omen?! Fate?! Especially given the name?! Congratulations again!

2nd- 3- Lord Byron (5/1)- The Jerry Garcia Racing entry got off to an average start, and was content to have a midpack position in the early going. As they moved into the turn, J Lezcano clearly wanted to move him forward, but he had no room to the inside thanks to the fading Radical Chic, and with the quick approach of The Perfect Day from behind, an outside move was also out of the question. As they moved into the top of the stretch, The Perfect Day courteously moved over another lane to allow Lord Byron to have an opening, and he would take advantage of it. Though even he could not keep up with The Perfect Day in the stretch.

3rd- 4- Shark Force (88/1)- The longest shot on the board was sharp out of the gate for Emerald Racing Inc, leading initially, though would concede the lead to Royaltea as they moved around the opening turn. During the backstretch trip, he would gradually inch closer to the leader again, and they would be even as they moved toward the final turn. He remained to the outside of Royaltea during the turn and into the stretch, and both of them seemed as though they would still be competitive. However, neither could stay with the top two over the final furlong.

4th- 2- Royaltea (10/1)- Started well out of the gate for Royalty Racing, looking like he might stalk Shark Force early, but instead opted to pass him in the opening turn for the lead. He would set the opening quarter in :24.21, and half in :47.94. Royaltea seemed to round the turn well, and at the top of the stretch, he maintained his advantage, but they were coming from behind. The last furlong though, saw his demise.

5th- 5- Pretty Ghost (9/2)- The D J C Racing Stables entry got off to the type of start he had in his last race, opting to stay at the back of the pack. Not a bad strategy, as the eventual winner was right next to him. Did not advance forward when The Perfect Day did, and would remain at the back going into the turn. At the top of the stretch, J Talamo looked to swing his horse wide to make a move, and for a moment it looked like Pretty Ghost was going to oblige. He could not sustain this push in the stretch.

6th- 1- Radical Chic (6/5)- Initially, the post time favorite did not have the fans who supported him groaning, as he started steady and assumed a stalking position for Mb Stables. He began to lose touch with his rivals at the end of the backstretch. Briefly had a second wind, it seemed, but could not keep up in the stretch.

Track: Fast
Time: :24¹  :47⁴  1:11²  1:41²

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 6 – 3 Paid 22.40
$1 Trifecta: 6 – 3 – 4 Paid 1,069.30

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded