10/7/22

  4   KEE    Phoenix (GII) [BC]

$350.000                                 3yo&Up                                6f  Dirt                                        3yo 121 lbs  Older 124lbs

Mb Stables is just a beast, especially in the graded raced arena.  Well, he took the top two spots in Friday’s Phoenix (GII), here on opening day in Lexington, with Rogue Commando getting home first by three quarters of a length, and stable-mate Shifu Tan nosing out King Pigeon for the second spot.  It was a bang-bang-bang finish for the minor spots, with When Your Strange another nose back in fourth.  The final running time was 1:08.63 on the Fast KEE main track.  

Rogue Commando is a 3yo bay gelded son of Smart Catch – Rag Doll Rogue, by Rogue State.  He was bred in Cal by EasyMoney Stables, and Mb Stables acquired him early this season via private purchase for $150.000.  This was his sixth win from fifteen starts, his third win of the ’22 season, and he now has lifetime earnings of $855.810.  Congrats to the Connections! 

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Fast          Time: :22¹  :45   :56⁴  1:08³
$1 Exacta: 9 – 3 Paid 45.30        $1 Trifecta: 9 – 3 – 12 Paid 177.60
Scratched: Baba Booey, Tiz Trippi

Rogue Commando settled mid-pack 3p in the early going, swept up on the turn 4p, drifted out widest of all for the drive, up to take the lead at the sixteenth pole, won driving.  Shifu Tan patiently handled along the rail, just in behind the leader, responded when asked at the top of the lane, good effort.  King Pigeon lacked any early interest, trailing into the lane, fanned out entering the stretch, unleashed a powerful closing effort, just missed the place.  When Your Strange wide trip stalking the pace, up to take a short lead at the furlong marker, out-kicked late.  Carnoustie gave an even effort.  Winchester rated off of the pace, past tiring rivals.  Puppet Master flashed early speed, lost ground into the turn, tired.  Sweet Sweet Sweet sharp break, setting the pace to the furlong marker, tired.  Disciplinary was no factor.  Midnight Bisou was never involved.  Chip Away off a step slow, rushed up to stalk to the top of the lane, tired.  General Obvious pressed the pace to the furlong marker, tired. 

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES