7/30/22

   6   SAR     The Vanderbilt Hcp (GI)

                $350.000    3yo&Up       6f   Dirt        Hcp Weights

My lack of handicapping ability rings true yet again as Smokey Stover’s Carnoustie held off the late charge from Maxmillon Farm’s Junior to take the photo and the win in Saturday’s Vanderbilt Hcp (GI) at SAR.  It was a length back to another photo for third/fourth/fifth with In Captivity gaining the show and a (mandated) dead-heat for fourth between Papa Nature and Pray For Sunshine.  The final running time was a quick 1:08.56 for the six panels, over the main oval, listed as Fast.

Carnoustie is a bay 5yo gelded son of Ye Charley – Happy Clapper, by Quench, and he was bred in Cal by his owner, Smokey Stover.  This was his fifteenth win from thirty starts, his second win of the ’22 season, and he now shows lifetime earnings of $1,002.850.  Congrats to the Connections!  

6 SAR The Vanderbilt Hcp (GI)
    $350.000    3yo&Up       6f   Dirt        Hcp Weights

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Fast       Time: :22²  :45   :56³  1:08²
$1 Exacta: 8 – 3 Paid 87.40      $1 Trifecta: 8 – 3 – 9 Paid 174.00
Scratched: None

Carnostie broke in hand, allowed to settle early, steady gain to move into contention into the lane, battled, up for narrow victory, won driving.  Junior slow break, dropped down to rail to find racing room, up to engage leaders into the lane, just missed in a game effort.  In Captivity mid-pack, lost ground into the lane, blocked top of the lane losing momentum, moved back to the inside for the drive, too late.  Papa Nature saved ground to the lane, moved to 3p, some late interest while no threat.   Pray For Sunshine stalked the early pace, moved up to take the lead mid-way on the turn while drifting out into the lane, caught late.  Blueberry Yum Yum wide trip, evenly.  Chip Away just behind the early pace, drifted lane, no excuse.  Barbary Appeal no speed, passed tiring rivals inside.  Binnington broke sharply, on or forced the pace to the furlong marker, tired.  Viking Lucy was never involved.  West Coast Party was outrun.  Fleeting Tiger on or forced the pace to the furlong marker, tired. 

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES