5/20/2022
11 PIM The Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (GII)
$250.000 3yoF 1 1/8m Dirt 122lbs
The 1.75 favorite ran last, my pick never got going and the Smokey Stover train keeps rolling through another station as their Third Gear wins The Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (GII) by a length, getting the mile and an eighth in a snappy 1:482, over the PIM main track, listed as Fast. Ask Forfree Deliver, owned by Arindel, took the second spot, then a length to Chyna Joe in third and Poison Candy was fourth in the field of seven.
Off and running in the 2022 Black-Eyed Susan and Low Budget Java on the inside of Ask Forfree Delivery showing good early speed, Venezia next, Third
Gear to her inside and Chyna Joe on the outside, another gap to the trailing duo of Poison Candy and Our Last Night.
Around the clubhouse turn and onto the backside with six furlongs to run, the 
speed duel continued with Low Budget Java and Ask Forfree Delivery going at it on the front end. A gap of three back to Venezia and Third Gear, moving together, then a gap to Chyna Joe, another gap as Poison Candy and Our Last Night brought up the rear.
The field moved down the backside and was nearing the far turn and the seven-sixteenths pole, Ask Forfree Delivery now in front by a length as Low
Budget Java was looking a bit weary. Third Gear now moving up on the inside of Venezia, then a gap to Chyna Joe and Our Last Night and Poison Candy continued to trail.
Around the far turn and into the lane, Ask Forfree Delivery now in front by a length and a half, Third Gear continuing to inch forward, Low Budget Java
continuing to drop back, as Venezia moved to the middle of the track for the drive. Chyna Joe just to the inside of that one and Our Last Night and Poison Candy still at the rear.
Down the lane, they moved past the furlong marker and things were changing in a hurry. Third Gear flying down the lane on the inside of Ask Forfree Deliver and she flew right on past, clearing the field and taking the win. Ask
Forfree Deliver continue on well to the finish, taking the second spot. Chyna Joe closed a late gap to take the third spot with Poison Candy also making some late noise to be fourth. Venezia leveled off and was fifth, Our Last night sixth and Low Budget Java tiring to be seventh.
Third Gear is a 3yo chestnut filly by Motorhead – Tri County, by El Gran du Nebraska, and she was bred by Crocker Cgs in ON. Smokey Stover acquired her via Private Purchase for $300.000 and she has two wins since changing hands, three wins overall and now has lifetime earnings of $239.640. Congrats to the Connections!
$2 Mutuel Prices:
| 1 – Third Gear | 7.00 | 3.90 | 3.00 |
| 7 – Ask Forfree Delivery | 5.80 | 4.20 | |
| 3 – Chyna Joe | 16.40 |
Track: Fast Time: :47 1:104 1:354 1:482
$1 Exacta: 1 – 7 Paid 28.10 $1 Trifecta: 1 – 7 – 3 Paid 316.80
Scratched: None
Third Gear was patiently handled behind the pace, moved up when asked entering the far turn, continued to advance and took over at the furlong marker, pulling away late. Ask Forfree Delivery was on or near a contested pace, disposed of that foe entering the far turn, clear into the lane, collared nearing the furlong marker, second best. Chyna Joe lacked interest to the lane, late closing effort. Poison Candy trailed to the three-sixteenths marker, best foot too late. Venezia even effort while no threat. Our Last Night trailed. Low Budget Java contested pace to the far turn, folded.
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
