The 19th Running of the G1 Hirsch Stakes
Saturday, August 6, 2022
DMR Race #8 $400.000
Fillies and Mares 3+ 120/124 Lbs 11/16
Automatic Qualifier for G1 BC Distaff
Track Record-1:39.81 (Fab Four-2012)
Stakes Record-1:40.86 (Brandy Punch-2012)
With a birth in the BC Distaff up for grabs, the G1 Hirsch always figured to be tightly contested. Turns out, it was contested so tightly that Laffy Crack and Tenrikyo, both, punched their tickets for KEE in November. Hitting the wire in 1:41.67, the DH-winners of the G1 Hirsch will be competing in the BC for the 2nd (Laffy Crack) and 4th (Tenrikyo) consecutive seasons of their remarkable careers.
Racing nearest each other at the back of the five-horse field (Mag Ol scratched early Saturday morning), Laffy Crack stuck to the rail while Tenrikyo was just to her outside and almost a length in front of her rival as Precise Performance set the pace. Tenrikyo was 4-lengths behind Precise Performance’s :23.85 opening quarter and only had Laffy Crack behind her. Laffy Crack stayed glued to the rail and drew a bit closer while still at the back of the pack, a half-length off of Tenrikyo, as Precise Performance completed the opening half-mile in :47.46.
They were on even terms and closing-in on Precise Performance as she completed three-quarters in 1:11.19. Laffy Crack moved off of the rail and found running room inside of Starship Twister. Unfortunately for Tenrikyo, that move placed the Smokey Stover-trainee directly behind Starship Twister, and it appeared that the Night Rider Stables-runner had gotten the jump on her. Laffy Crack was even with Precise Performance (and Starship Twister out in the four-path) at the top of the lane with Tenrikyo, now clear of traffic, about a length and a half behind.
Laffy Crack slipped away from Precise Performance and Starship Twister inside the furlong pole and looked to put the race to bed; however, Tenrikyo would have something to say about that. With a sixteenth to go, Laffy Crack still had a one-length advantage, but Tenrikyo was getting closer. The two great mares were raced as one through the final strides and the photo sign was immediately posted. The judges could not find any separation between Laffy Crack and Tenrikyo and declared both winners. Starship Twister just secured the show from Precise Performance and Take The Fifth completed the order of finish.
Laffy Crack improved to 34-8-9-2 with earnings of $1,400.580 while Tenrikyo has now banked $3,662.910 in a 36-15-4-3 career. Thank you and congratulations to the two great mares and their respective trainers, Night Rider Stables and Smokey Stover, for their performances in the G1 Hirsch and good luck to them at KEE in the fall.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
