8/6/22

   10   SAR     SAR Derby (GI)

          $1,000.000    3yo       1 3/16m  Turf          122lbs

The Derby races keep coming and Smokey Stover takes another as Boardwalk Empire, dismissed at 11/1 odds, sat mid-pack through the early stages, motored up when asked and got home in front by a half length to take the SAR Derby (GI) on Saturday.  The final running time was 1:51⁴ for the mile and three-sixteenths over a firm turf course.  Americas Hope followed a similar path to take the second spot, a half length better than Certified Yank in third then another length to Mickey and The Tonight Show in a dead-heat for fourth. 

The field loaded into the gate and away in good order with Creepy Risk showing speed from the rail, West Hockey Party on his flank and not letting him get away, a gap back to a trio that included Burnsuwhenitshot, Boardwalk Empire between horses and Certified Yank from the outside.  Another gap to Americas Hope on the hedge, Oh Brother out widest of all, Mickey and The Tonight Show between that pair, then a gap to the trailing foursome of Letters By The Bay, Keeper Of Time, Good Guy to his inside and Winstorm.  

Around the clubhouse turn and nearing the backstretch, Creepy Risk along the inside, West Hockey Party looking him in the eye and Oh Brother moving up on that outside of that pair.  A length back to Burnsuwhenitshot on the hedge, Certified Yank on the outside and Boardwalk Empire between them, another length to Americas Hope, Good Guy on his inside, Mickey on his outside, then another length to Keeper Of Time, Letters By The Bay on his flank, back towards the inside for The Tonight Show and Winstorm could see them all.

Down the back side and now into the far turn with a bit more than three furlongs to travel, the speed duel continued with Creepy Risk on the inside of West Hockey Party. Two lengths back to Certified Yank on the outside of Oh Brother and Burnsuwhenitshot, another length to Boardwalk Empire, between Mickey from the outside and Good Guy on the inside, a half length to Americas Hope now getting into grear, then a gap to Letters By The Bay still wide, Keep Of Time on his inside, down to the rail for The Tonight Show and Winstorm continued to trail.

Swing around the turn and into the lane with three sixteenths of a mile to run, the speed had collapsed like a poorly run  Atlantic City casino… Certified Yank up to take the elad, Boardwalk Empire down the center of the track, West Hockey Party headed in the wrong direction, American Hope swinging wide for the drive, Burnsuwhenitshot finding racing room three wide, Creepy Risk tiring from the rail and Mickey widest of all.   In behind that cavalry charge, Oh Brother, Letters By The Bay, Good Guy, The Tonight Show and Keeper Of Time as WInstorm continued to trail… the run to the wire was on!

Deep stretch and to the finish, we had a three horse battle to the finish, Boardwalk Empire taking over, Americas Hope on his outside and trying to close in, Certified Yank towards the inside of the trio… and a gap back to the battle for the minor money… but this was now a two horse race with Boardwalk Empire and Americas Hope going at it and Boardwalk Empire held off the late effort of Americas Hope for the win.  It was a half length back to Certified Yank in third, Mickey and The Tonight Show could not be separated and were in a dead-heat for the minor money.  Burnsuwhenitshot was sixth, Letters By The Bay seventh, West Hockey Party eighth, Creep Risk ninth, Winstorm tenth, Keeper Of Time eleventh, Good Guy twelfth and Oh Brother closed this one out. 

Boardwalk Empire is a bay 3yo homebred colt by Con Artist – Quiver Pond, by Kavorka, and he was bred in Fla.  This was his fourth win from eight starts, three of those coming this season, and he now has lifetime earnings of $753.230.  Congrats to the Connections! 

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Firm         Time: :47   1:10²  1:34¹  1:51⁴
$1 Exacta: 6 – 2 Paid 145.70          $1 Trifecta: 6 – 2 – 7 Paid 1,508.70
Scratched: Miami My Amy

Boardwalk Empire broke alertly, allowed to settle back through the field to mid-pack racing 2p, moved outside to 5p for the drive, showing a good late kick to move up to take the lead at the furlong marker, all out to last, won driving.  Americas Hope rated back off of the pace while racing 2p to the far turn, began to move forward from there while drifting wide into the lane, pressed leader to the finish but could not get past.  Certified Yank raced just behind the pace 3p, moving forward to engage leader into the lane while moving to 5p for racing room, short lead from the top of the lane to the furlong marker, could not go with top pair in a good effort.  Mickey rated back 2p first turn, 3p on the back stretch, drifting widest through the far turn and down the lane, evenly late, finished in a dead heat.  The Tonight Show rated well off of the pace in a ground saving trip, cut the corner, some late interest, finished in a dead heat.  Burnsuwhenshot forwardly placed to the furlong marker, tired.  Letters By The Bay well back, wide trip.  Creepy Risk broke alertly setting the pace on the rail to the far turn, tired.  Winstorm trailed, passed tiring rivals late.  Keeper Of Time was not a factor.  Good Guy was outrun.  Oh Brother off a step slow, wide first turn while moving up to join the leaders 3p to the far turn, tired. 

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES