Highlander Stakes – Grade II
6 Furlongs Turf Stake Purse $200.000 Open 4 Year Olds And Up.

1st    Shelbags    Lindeman Prairie    Fukumoto D

It took a good horse to win this race as they beat the race record recording a blistering time of 1.07.62. Going through 5 furlongs just a little over 56 seconds it was going to be a war of attrition in the final furlong and the long career and experience of this seven year old won the day. Getting a great spot from his draw close enough to not have trouble with traffic but far enough off the leaders to be unaffected by the fast pace he finished really strongly to go from a length down to a half length up in the final furlong. A big shout out to the trainer here who picked this one up for just nine dollars when it was second in a 12 furlong route and immediately set him sprinting which has seen he come from rags to riches. This is his eighth win for the trainer and possibly his best yet, the BC Turf Sprint beckons and on this display he will be a serious chance.

2nd    Elijah G    Mb Stables    Gallardo A A

Whether it was an instructions burp or a race engine fart this one who is usually swift out of the gate for some reason started slowly and from the ace draw and that can very often lead to trouble. He worked hard to get himself in a challenging position at the two furlong out mark after staring at the winners backside for most of the race, but he had done his work and though he still finished really well he couldn’t muster a winning burst. He has to be seen as unlucky as he was stuck behind horses for a long time but he did get a run when it mattered and couldn’t match the winner today.

3rd    A New Car    Gdp Inc    Stein J

A shade one paced at the end this was still a fine run in a tough field of sprinters, Getting a good position alongside the winner he looked to have a great spot and as the leaders weakened he looked for a stride or two as if he would go on and win. In the end though he kept on without quickening for a third which may be the best he could hope for.

4th   King Ranch    South Shore Stables   Husbands S P

Like the runner up he didn’t start well and struggled a little with the early pace and like the runner up he spent a long time stuck behind horses and when he did finally get clear air he was crossed a little by the eventual winner which seem to stall his run. A decent effort to just going again and nose into the last paying spot.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES