Commentator ($200.000 Purse)
BEL- For Three Year Olds and Upward Foaled in NY
One Mile on the Dirt
May 30, 2016

Foreigner has had a series of close calls for trainer Australia Wide ever since he was purchased in private sales for $75.000.  Four races that were close enough to be wins had the gelding just caught another break or two.  Perhaps today, he caught that break as rain showers left the track in a muddy condition.  His previous run on an off track seemed pretty good, so there was likely ton of confidence in the Australia Wide barn.  After a mile of racing on the mud, Foreigner would prevail over Angelic General and pick up the victory.   It is the first win in the stake for both trainer and jockey (J Bisono).  The time of the race was 1:38.12.  Here’s a deeper look!

1st- 7- Foreigner (5/1)- The eventual winner from Australia Wide was initially quick out of the gate, but after a quarter mile, J Bisono looked to restrain his gelding, and would eventually have him backed up to the fifth position and four lengths off the lead as they moved into the turn.  He would handle the turn well, and as they approached the exit, he had pulled up right behind Stars And Bars and sought to follow him through.  Since American Horror did not have much stretch fight, plenty of room opened up to the inside of Stars And Bars, and Foreigner seized this opportunity.   That was all he needed, because once he was in the clear, he had a different gear that not even Angelic General would have in the stretch.  Foreigner was simply not going to be denied tonight, and took the lead just time to win by about half a length!  Congratulations to the winner!  Foreigner is a three year old gelding by De Gaulle (by Risen Ruler), and out of Hi Maintenance (by Chai Latte).  He was bred in New York as a second quarter two year old by D J C Racing Stables.  He was picked up by Australia Wide via a private sale for $75.000 from Spinetingling.  Congrats to all the connections!

2nd- 3- Angelic General (6/5)- The betting favorite out of Gdp Inc started well and seemed to be in good position early.  She trailed American Horror by two to three lengths in the backstretch while running in the third position.  Stuck to the outside of Stars And Bars almost as if they were glued together for the run around the turn, and while Stars And Bars took over the lead, Angelic General soon assumed the second position.  With half a furlong to go, he would finally outduel Stars And Bars and would take over the lead! That would not last very long, because Foreigner was charging hard in the stretch and would soon have both of them passed.  He did all he could do, it was simply not enough to beat Foreigner on this day.

3rd- 4- Stars And Bars (7/1)- Started well for Team 7 Illusions, and would opt to stalk the pace set by American Horror for the run down the backstretch.  After some brief indecision as to the lane he wanted to take. J R Velazquez looked to make his move to the outside of American Horror in the turn, and he would successfully complete the pass for the lead as they moved into the top of the stretch.  Ran well in the stretch until the final half furlong, and it really looked like he packed it in here in a very disappointing manner.  Not only did Angelic General get by but he wasn’t too far off from being passed by Southern Cal and Dream It Again, as well.

4th- 5- Southern Cal (5/1)- The Alydar Stables entry had no interest in the pace being set up front, as he would go promptly to the back.  Not to worry, of course, as this is how Southern Cal gets it done.  Began to get a little closer in the turn, and at the top of the stretch, it looked as though J Alvarado hesitated slightly to decide the lane he wanted.  When the rail opened up, he emphatically moved Southern Cal into position, and he would run well to the wire, but never really threatened the leaders.

5th- 6- Dream It Again (27/1)- The longest shot on the board was towards the back of the field for his trainer, D J C Racing Stables, but was still in close proximity to the eventual winner, Foreigner.  Maintained his position for the run around the turn but would have no choice but to go considerably wide in the process.  Didn’t advance until very late in the stretch run, and it would be too little too late.

6th- 8- American Horror (8/1)- Jumped right out to the lead for trainer for Night Rider Stables, setting the opening quarter in :23.57, and leading by a length and a half as they moved into the turn.  There, he would lead at the half as well, in :47.70.  By the exit of the turn, he was passed by two of them, and would call it a day by the time Foreigner went by.

7th- 2- Strong Heart (9/1)- Got off to average start for Mb Stables, being right in the middle of the pack, about three lengths off, for the backstretch run.  He would keep a steady though unspectacular stride going around the turn and into the stretch.   Started to inch closer momentarily, but with about a furlong to go, Strong Heart lost interest in the chase and had nothing left.

8th- 1- Skullcruncher (25/1)-The Hawaiian Shirt Guy entry was never a factor in today’s race.  He would go right to the back, and never make a move forward at any point in the race.  Skullcruncher was coming off a win in mud, so can’t really blame the conditions too much, here.

Track: Muddy
Time: :23²  :47³  1:12¹  1:38

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 7 – 3 Paid 14.10
$1 Trifecta: 7 – 3 – 4 Paid 95.60

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded