April 25, 2016
A three-year-old had never won the Providence Stakes at WO, mostly because the top sophomores are still facing their age-related counterparts at this stage in the season, but Saturday at WO brought about a changing of the guards with the youngsters occupying the top three placings, led by a good looking colt named Ferro from the powerful Team 7 Illusions stable. Having won this race in three of its first four runnings, they certainly knew how to get a horse ready for this event and with a stunning late kick, the son of supersire Charley Farley rolled to his third win of the campaign while pushing his earnings closer to $200.000.
Both Smokinnngrinnin (92.45) and Ferro (5.05) broke slowly in the Providence while Crimson Devil (5.20) rocketed away from the farthest gate but after the first furlong, it was Impressive Force (7.75) inside who took the lead with a rail run. Quick Application (10.55) held his ground as well and that forced Crimson Devil wider than he probably wanted and with the first fraction up in a modest 23.06, it was up to the front runners to dictate things into the far turn with many in the backfield still wide but trying to find an inside lane. Crimson Devil asserted himself as the leaders started to even out and while heavy favourite Clown Candy (*1.55) loomed in just behind, the rest of the field was no where to be seen and it was going to be a matter of who would handle the quickening splits. As the leader inched closer to the rail, it left the favourite with a much simpler outside run and through a half-mile in 45.72, it was all up to Clown Candy with Asereje (7.90) trying to go with him from a length behind. Headlong into the lane, Crimson Devil was up to the task and held the closers at bay but while he could see the outside runners, he did not see Ferro come rolling up the rail and in the blink of an eye, the three-year-old was in front and pulling away to a half-length win in the shadow of the wire. The longtime leader was clearly second from a charging My Friend Bernie (5.95), who was too far back early and unable to close with his fellow three-year-olds, with Clown Candy and Asereje fourth and fifth after failing to sustain their bids. Impressive Force was unable to quicken when asked in midpack while Smokinngrinnin and Quick Application had nothing for the drive but there was no doubt about the top three and all of them were sophomores who handled their elders with aplomb.
Ferro sat farther off the pace than expected in the Providence Stakes but came with a menacing late rush to keep his six-furlong record perfect in 2016 while adding a second stakes victory to his already impressive credentials. While the Queenston against fellow sophomores is logical, it comes at seven-furlongs and he might want to ship to PIM for the Lang Stakes instead, or even test older runners against that same day in the MD Sprint Stakes if the weights hold up.
Congratulations goes out to owner Team 7 Illusions and their three-year-old colt Ferro, a blazing winner of the Providence Stakes at WO!
Prediction Clown Candy / My Friend Bernie / Impressive Force
Winner Ferro
Three-year-old black colt
Charley Farley-Votis (Jolly Be Great)
Owner Team 7 Illusions
Time 23.06, 45.72, 57.25, 1:09.18
Overall
Ferro 5.05 far back early, rail run, up in time
Crimson Devil 5.20 wide run, clear into lane, caught
My Friend Bernie 5.95 powerful late move
Clown Candy *1.55 wide into stretch, failed to sustain
Asereje 7.90 behind favourite, no late momentum
Impressive Force 7.75 inside run, lacked drive
Smokinngrinnin 92.45 no factor
Quick Application 10.55 brief speed, faded
Triple T Racing 🙂
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded
