CT Classic – Grade II
1 1/8 Mile Dirt Stake Purse $1,250.000 Open 4 Year Olds And Up.

Well this was indeed the spectacle that it promised to be with a thrilling finish and without adoubt two of the best dirt routers of recent years battling out a memorable finish. The only sour taste left in the mouth was that the first four places resulted in two dead heats and there was only four lengths between first and fourteenth in a race that once again underlined how close the racing is here at HRP. With three of the first home all being drawn inside gate four youhave to feel those four lengths were pretty much determined by the draw and the trip suggestingthat if all the gates were reversed and the race run again there would be a very different result. But thats racing at CT i guess and if there is any race on the calender that is dependent on the draw then it is this one. Here is how the race of the season so far panned out:

1st (Dead heat) A One, trained by Eastern Equine
Not the quickest away he was in danger of being swamped on the first turn but used the turn to keep himself in the race just behind the stalking group. He hadnt moved much but was going nicely with a half mile to go but would need a little racing room to mount his challenge. Left without a choice he began to make his own racing room into the final turn moving wide around the weakening leaders. Niagra had got first run on him but he dug deep into the last furlong and managed to draw level by the line. This was a wonderful effort by this serious racehorse who looked like the BC Classic trip would be right up his alley.

1st (Dead heat) Niagra, trained by D J C Racing Stables
Fast away he won the inside race and was close to the lead at the first bend and as they exited he was one off the rail and just behind the speed and in the perfect position. With a half mile to run and into the back stretch he looked a little in danger of being swamped by weakening horses. He used all of his experience to push wide and avoid the weakening leaders. He made the lead into the short home stretch and looked like he would stride home for a famous win but A One dug deep and in a desperate late lunge these two great horses deservedly shared the spoils.
Whilst A One is an amazing horse this old warrior once again won our hearts with another great effort and he must now be cemented into the all time hall of fame.

3rd (Dead Heat) Tundra Kenny, trained by Australia Wide
An average start saw him in the midpack at the first turn and by the time they exited he was nicely positioned in the third group. He was shuffled back as they closed up through turn two and found himself near the back and facing a wall of horses by the time they hit the back stretch. Pushing and shoving he went wider and wider into the final turn to try and get a run but still looked in trouble with just two furlongs to run. He got through some impossible gaps and was still a little blocked with a furlong to run but stuck to his guns and battled home well for third. This was a fantastic effort by the turf champ and it gives his trainer a real headache as to where to send this super horse next.

3rd (Dead Heat) West Northwest, trained by Grimley
Didnt start fast and was steadied as they approached turn one ending up wide and was still four wide as they exited turn one. In the third group he wasnt badly positioned but was out on a limb and covering more ground than most of the more fancied horses. By the half mile pole he was stuck wide and dropping back a little and it was starting to look like he may lose touch. By the final turn he was eight wide but still going well and trying to mount a challenge. To his great credit he stuck on bravely after covering a good bit more ground than the rest and ran a brilliant third. With a better run he could well have been a length better than this finishing position and his trainer will be looking forward to a rematch with a better draw and a more open track.

5th General Companion
Still 3 wide as they came out of turn one he was leading the third group and in a fair position but was shuffled back into a tough position near the back by the time they hit the four furlong to go mark. He started to make ground as the inevitable HRP ‘changeover’ occurred at the two furlong pole and he was only three lengths off the lead as they rounded the home turn. He was in a pretty impossible position with a furlong to run but did really well to end up a close fifth. This was a much better effort than an out of the money finish and one feels there is more to come from this grand sort.

6th Macht Nichts
A good start saw him in the leading bunch at turn one and as they exited he was still three wide but holding a decent spot behind the speed horses. Although a little wide down the back he was still competitive and was in a good enough position if he was good enough himself. Keeping on gamely he ended up a creditable sixth and certainly shouldnt be written off in future encounters.

7th Hyper SilverConsidering he was 13 wide at turn one and right on the speed he did pretty well to end up where he did. By the end of turn one he was a length back and in a clear third. He held that position through turn two and still looked competitive with four furlongs to go. Rounding the home turn the closers had closed and the speed horses had weakened and he was left in seventh and won the race of the early speed horses.

8th Russian Whiskey
Held the rail and the perfect position through turn one ended up leading the bunch in the chase. He continued to enjoy the perfect run throughout and had clear sight of the leader right up the rail as they rounded the home turn. Strangely he just whacked away and showed no sparkle when the whips came out and was a little disappointing in the end.

9th Galvaston
Shot forward by the wide gate speed push he was in no mans land at turn one. He was still three wide as they exited the turn and although he had found the stalk it was pretty obvious his chances had gone if you watch many races at HRP. Didnt make any more moves and took turn two three wide too but started to struggle a little as they hit the half mile to go stage. He plodded on and wasnt beaten far but was never going to be a factor in todays race.

10th Viking Shield
Kept falling back from his wide draw and found himself last and nine lengths off the lead after two furlongs. Still wide through turn two he continued to make little ground but couldnt get out of the trailing group. As the HRP ‘changeover’ occurred he ran on well but never really improved his position.

11th Lil Old Louie
Was anchored back through turn one and was seven lengths back but finding some rail after two furlongs. He was pretty much a no show afterwards running on to finish not too far behind but never looking dangerous.

12th Salt Lake City
Slow away as usual he was last and seeking the rail as they hit the quick turn one but still hadnt found it by the end of the turn despite falling 8 lengths off the leaders. He ran on in the end and wasnt beaten far but was never in the race.

13th Outward Bound Like Hardline he was pushed forward early to try and get some of the rail as they went into turn one. He was still stuck four wide after the turn and although fifth and just a few lengths off the lead he would have to have been a very good horse to have won from there. As the closers closed so the pace horses fell away and although not beaten far ended up second last.

14th Hardline
The writing was on the wall for this old warrior as he nosed in front at the first turn eleven wide. He took the whole turn to eventually cross to the rail and though he now held the lead and the rail for the next two turns we all know what the wide speed push does to a horse at HRP. He still held a clear lead after turn two and headed into last half mile with the rail and the lead. As they took the final turn with two and a half to run the concertener effect we often see here at HRP was taking effect with a swapping of places and he was always going to be the first to be swallowed up in the changeover. Eventually weakening into last i dont think much should be put on this poor performance as no horse wouldve won with an early effort like this.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES