The Fool Handicap (Grade 3)- $200.000 Purse
AQU- For Four Year Olds and Upward
Six Furlongs on the Inner Dirt
March 12, 2016

You would be forgiven if you were looking past Masterpiece Five on the racing form.     Despite winning some big races around this time last year, he had not done much lately, and therefore he would go off at odds of approximately 9/1.   There were longer shots on the board, but it’s safe to say he slipped through the cracks of many people who were placing bets on the race.   He was cutting back in distance, but he had run this distance before, and his run in the Vanderbilt Handicap was not really inspiring.   Today, though, Masterpiece Five reminded everyone that he is still a champion racehorse, as with the win he eclipses $1,000.000 in career earnings.  More importantly for trainer Buddhabase, he gets a return on his $225.010 investment from when he purchased the horse a few days before Christmas.  It is the first win in the stake for trainer Buddhabase, and the second time (and twice in three years) that jockey M Luzzi has ridden the race winner.  The time of 1:08.99 is impressive, but does fall short of Kiwiw Ripoff’s record-setting performance last year.  Here’s a deeper look at the race.

1st- 4- Masterpiece Five (9/1)-Our eventual race winner from Buddhabase got off to a rather uneventful start.  He was not all that interested in being up there and challenging the front runners, but M Luzzi made sure that he would keep them in close sight during the backstretch.  As the run into the turn began, he was content to ride along in this spot, but as they approached the turn exit, Luzzi made sure that Masterpiece Five knew that it was time to go.  There was no time to waste, because Cool Daddy was also looking to make a move and Claim Your Prize was looking to go by on the outside.   Thanks to the dropping back of Two 4 One, a nice clear lane opened up in front of him to the inside of Reel Steal while a couple others who had been racing beside him would have to maneuver through traffic.  He closed in on the leaders, and with half a furlong to go, Masterpiece Five had captured the lead.  The others that were running well in the stretch were too far behind to pose a threat, and while it ends up being a close finish, the result was not in doubt at that point.  He picks up a big win for Buddhabase, as is it just the trainer’s second career graded stake victory.  Congrats on the accomplishment!  Masterpiece Five is a five year old horse by the great Five Daddy Five and out of the late Art Princess, who has some Black Moon in her. He was bred Louisiana as a yearling by Razorback Racing, where he raced the majority of his career before the recent sale to Buddhabase.  Congrats again to all of the connections!

2nd- 11- Kiva Kon (5/1)- The nine year old from Night Rider Stables got off to a quick start from his outside post, and was able to move over to the fourth lane rather quickly.  Unfortunately, he was never really able to get closer to the rail then that.  He looked good though, and would set the opening quarter in :22.42.  He handled the turn in exceptional form, setting the half mile in :45.02, and just when it looked like Reel Steal was going to take command, Kiva Kon showed his veteran grittiness and battled back on him, and would get by him again.  He did everything but keep Masterpiece Five behind him in the end, and the trainer should be thrilled with the effort Kiva Kon put forth.

3rd- 1- Cool Daddy (7/1)- The entry from Brave got off to midpack start, but was able to maintain a comfortable position along the rail.  He had eventual race winner Masterpiece Five running beside him much of the way.  Eventually, he would have to relinquish this position if he wanted to move forward since Nautical Knot and Two 4 One were starting to back up.  Once able to move to the outside of Two 4 One, Cool Daddy was indeed in a very cool stride, and made up a lot of ground, doing well to pick off positions late.  Barely missed second.

4th (dh)- 5- Domination Nation (22/1)- Last year’s runner up did not draw much support from the betting public and was surprisingly the longest shot on the board.  He also was not all that interested in the early pace, content to run near the back of the pack and was about four lengths off the lead as they moved into the turn for trainer Double J Stables.  Moved up at the top of the stretch, and had a nice lane available to come on through with.  He would take advantage of it, but before you knew it, the wire came up and he would settle for a share of fourth.

4th (dh)- 10- Reel Steal (7/2)- The surprising post time favorite from Scarletandgraystable was with the lead group in the early going.  He would be positioned in the third lane most of the way, and stayed within half a length of the pacesetting Kiva Kon.  Handled the turn well, and emerged with the lead at the top of the stretch.  Battled well most of the way, but lost a couple positions in the final strides.

6th- 8- Claim Your Prize (7/1)- Got off to a fairly good start for Axeman, but would eventually be content with a midpack position as they moved into the turn.  He was ready to make a move at the top of the stretch, but had to move out about four wide to do so.  Never really found the opening that he needed to in the stretch, and was unable to split Reel Steal and Kiva Kon the way jockey J Rodriguez would have liked.

7th- 6- Arrest (9/2)- Started poorly for trainer D J C Racing Stables, going right to the back, and at one point was four lengths behind his closest rival.  Stayed at the back for the duration of the backstretch, and within the turn it didn’t seem like his advance was going to be good enough.  However, in the final furlong, J Bisono had him flying at the end.  There was no one better in the stretch, but there was way too much ground to make up.

8th- 9- Two 4 One (23/1)- The RNP Stables gelding was one of the leaders in the early going, and seemed to be in a good spot as they moved into the turn.  Stayed in touch with Kiva Kon and Reel Steel as they moved around the turn, but at the top of the stretch, those two began to inch away.

9th- 7- Nautical Knot (12/1)- As he usually does, the Aarons Hosses entry got off to a very good start, and was in a great position along the rail as they moved into the turn trailing by only half a length.  Steady most of the way of the turn, Nautical Knot simply did not have any answer for those charging hard from behind.

10th- 3- Money For Charley (12/1)- There would be no money for Blushing Meadows today as his entry started near the back of the pack and never was able to make his presence felt.

Track: Fast
Time: :22²  :45   :56³  1:08⁴

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 4 – 11 Paid 53.70
$1 Trifecta: 4 – 11 – 1 Paid 710.10

Scratched: Nefarious Leadership

— NS

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES