The 19th Running of the G2 Bloom Handicap
September 26, 2021 15:35
BEL Race #8 $250.000 61/2 Furlongs
3YO+ Fillies&Mares Hcp Weights
Track Record-1:14.50 (Not Trippin Now-2021)
Stakes Record-1:15.07 (Tenrikyo-2021)
If you set a new stakes record in a G2 while never being less than 4-5 wide at any point of the 6.5 furlong race, all while spotting your rivals 3-5 pounds, safe to say you were the best horse. Tenrikyo (Grandeur o/o Set Sail) proved to be just that in Sunday’s $250.000 G2 Bloom Handicap at BEL. Rallying well out in the center of the course and from well behind, the Smokey Stover-trained 5yo mare got her nose down at the right time to nip Grayte Cruise at the wire in 1:15.07 to break the stakes record of 1:15.27 that was set back in 2012.
At the break, it was Dancinginflorida who got the first call before Deeback went forward from her outside draw. Three horses raced in a line about three lengths behind the leader while the eventual winner was widest of all and another length back. When Deeback led them into the turn, she was a full length ahead after running the first quarter in :22.61.
The 4yo filly from the barn of Mb Stables maintained her lead through an opening half-mile that went in :45.42. Dancinginflorida was staying in touch and continuing to race on the rail while the trio of Grayte Catch (four path), Unprecedented (three path), and Charity Jane (two path) inched closer. Tenrikyo was almost two lengths behind that trio and still racing widest of all in the five path.
As they straightened-out for the drive, Grayte Catch looked like the one to beat as she was moving into six path for her bid on the Deeback and Dancinginflorida. Tenrikyo was another two paths wider, had five horses to pass, and had less than a quarter-mile to get it done; however, she was making headway. In a sixteenth of a mile, she had passed four rivals, but Grayte Catch was proving to be a worthy adversary.
200-yards from the finish, Grayte Catch was giving everything she had to maintain her half-length advantage, but Tenrikyo was determined and just kept coming. While those two were eyeball-to-eyeball with each other, Gold Futures was rallying furiously up the rail. Tenrikyo got her nose down at the right time and got the bob on Grayte Catch. Gold Futures had to settle for 3rd, beaten just a half-length for all of the money. Completing the order of finish were Charity Jane, Unprecedented, Obvious Deception, Deeback, and Dancinginflorida.
Tenrikyo earned six BC points for her victory and now sits atop the G1 F&M Sprint leaderboard; she also improved her record to 27-10-3-2 for earnings of $2,722.360. Grayte Catch ran too well to lose, but she earned four BC points and now sits 11th on the BC big board. Gold Futures made a strong rally to nab the show and took home the final two BC points available.
Congratulations to Smokey Stover and Tenrikyo for their victory in the $250.000 G2 Bloom Handicap at BEL and good luck to both as they prepare for November’s BC!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
