The 9th Running of the Critical Eye Handicap
Monday, May 29, 2023
BEL Race #7 $200.000
F&M 4+ Handicap Weights 1 1/16
1st: #3 El Gran Condottieri (First Flight Stable/I. Ortiz Jr 119): Settled one-off the rail with one horse beat early. Shifted off the rail while accelerating to begin forward momentum. Moved to the center of the course throughout the turn while eating up her deficit. Ranged-up beside the top two inside the sixteenth pole, and steadily surged to the front in an impressive performance.
2nd: #8 Bad Seniorita (Luz International/E. Cancel 120): Caught four-wide in sixth, and a length in front of the eventual winner early. Began forward move as the leader took the field into the turn. Gave-up ground as she quickened her stride to get into contention. Got the lead just inside the sixteenth pole but had no answer for the winner.
3rd: #6 Surrey (Smokey Stover/F. Prat 120): Three-wide at the head of the tracking trio early on. Ranged-up to the leader’s flank as they began the turn for home and seized control inside the half-mile pole. Couldn’t repel the bids of the top two in a good effort.
El Gran Condottieri recorded her 4th win from 24 starts. She has now won $512.960 in purses and three ungraded events. Congratulations to her and First Flight Stable for their victory in the Critical Eye Handicap!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
