The Eatontown Stakes (Grade 3)- $150.000 Purse
MTH- For Fillies and Mares Three Years Old and Upward
One Mile and One Sixteenth on the Turf
June 17, 2023

For some reason, Temperature was not liked all that much by the bettors, letting her go off at odds of 75/1, with the next longest shot on the board being at 10/1. This was a surprise, because we did have her as our second choice, so while many may have been surprised by her victory in The Eatontown Stakes, we weren’t as we believed in her all along. Perhaps it had to do with having three races in close succession, but in the end, she proves that is not an issue, using a stalking trip and lighting up the board for Riggins Racing! It is his first win in the race, as well as for jockey L J Luzzi. Congratulations to them! The time of the win was 1:40.08, a better than average winning time for the stake. Let’s take a look at it!

(1/4 Mile- :23.57)- From the rail, Marner has a breakaway to the front for Mb Stables, but she is not all herself, as Appealing Decima, out of The Sidley Stud, and Stellar Agent, from Night Rider Stables are right alongside her at the front of the pack. Stalking these three is our eventual winner from Riggins Racing, Temperature. She is all by herself and is also able to be on the rail for the opening turn. It’s a gap of about two lengths to the trailers, Catnip Crusader (Czech Out Farms) and Paris Candy (Glorify Stables).

(1/2 Mile- :47.07)- Early on in the backstretch, we get a new leader as Stellar Agent pulls out by a neck over Marner and Appealing Decima. Nothing is wrong with those two, as they also continue to be in good stride. Temperature still patiently waits for her time, but right now that is not it, as she is a length a half off the pace. Catnip Crusader and Paris Candy are at least three lengths further back.

(Top of Stretch, 1.5F To Go)- The backstretch portion finishes with Stellar Agent now extending his lead to a full length over both Marner and Appealing Decima, and that distance will remain constant over the course of the turn. Meanwhile, we start to see Temperature showing more interest, and she makes her move off the rail and to the outside, looking to go by while four wide. At the top of the stretch, she’s positioned well to strike. Further back, Paris Candy is looking a lot better than Catnip Crusader.

(Finish- 1:40.08)- Stellar Agent does all she can, but Temperature kept getting closer and closer until drawing even with her with a half furlong to go. From there, Temperature had the race win, and pulls away from her rival with every stride winning by essentially a length, and making people wonder why our second choice did not get more respect at the betting window. Stellar Agent is second, then it’s Appealing Decima with Paris Candy being the best of the rest for fourth. Marner was a big disappointment, beating only Catnip Crusader.

About The Winner- Temperature, trained by Riggins Racing and ridden to victory by L J Luzzi, is a three-year-old filly by Fetched, and is out of Downhill Direction. She was bred in Pennsylvania by Aer Stables as a yearling and was acquired by Riggins in private sales for $375.000 in March 2023. Congratulations to the connections! The win is her fourth in ten starts, her third stake win, and second graded win. Her career earnings are now $344.590.

Track: Firm
Time: :23²  :47   1:10³  1:40

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 6 – 3 Paid 2,249.90
$1 Trifecta: 6 – 3 – 2 Paid 1,194.30

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES