June 27, 2016
Each of the seven entrants in the Grade I Gold Cup at SA came into the 1 ¼ mile as a previous winner at the highest level but only Chrystal Pip was able to add to their Grade I tally with a huge win over one of the toughest fields assembled this year, handling Greek Poet by a nose and Outward Bound by nearly a length. Purchased for a huge sum of $600.000 by owner Mb Stables, he was a huge winner of the Man o War on turf last time and now sports top level victories over both surfaces this year, each with a 101-speed rating and from off the pace, making any potential race well within his grasp.
There was not a lot of early speed signed on in the Gold Cup and Outward Bound (28.60) showed the way at long odds from Hyper Silver (29.60) to his outside, while Spanish Showboat (8.10) tucked in behind them with favourites Greek Poet (*1.35) and Chrystal Pip (2.80) dropping out to the back. Hyper Silver assumed command under the line for the first time as Outward Bound got to the rail and the only one in a back spot was Spanish Showboat, unable to save any ground into the turn and almost forced to press on from his wide draw. The first half-mile in 47.74 saw the leader well within himself up front with Chrystal Pip already making a wide move from the backfield but positions stayed the same through six-furlongs in 1:11.57 with only Mister Major (65.45) trying to make up some ground inside. As the field bunched up into the final turn, the complexion completely changed as Outward Bound came up the fence to the inside of Hyper Silver and poked his nose in front, leaving those on the rail with little running room and those out wide with speed to catch. Chrystal Pip began his run out wide through the one-mile in 1:35.91 but still had two-lengths to make up at the head of the lane and others closing with him. Hyper Silver shifted out into the path of Greek Poet while Spanish Showboat came wide of him and with a furlong to run, Outward Bound looked like he might actually last on the lead. But with a dramatic thrust in the shadow of the wire, Chrystal Pip and Greek Poet both closed with resolute power to finish nostrils apart, with the outside trip the difference for the former over his Grade I winning counterpart. Outward Bound held for a good third over a wide Spanish Showboat, while Hyper Silver faded, Mister Major lacked late momentum and Tundra Kenny (2.25) came up last in what has been a truly disappointing season on the dirt for him.
Owner Mb Stables has literally owned the Gold Cup at SA over the past few years and won their four edition in a row on Saturday afternoon with Chrystal Pip, who has to be considered one of the greatest horses in HRP history based on his propensity to win at the Grade I level over multiple distances and surfaces. Both the Grade I Whitney and the Grade I AP Million are on the table given his affinity for both dirt and turf, with the BC Classic and BC Turf as potential year-end goals since he has all but qualified for each race.
Congratulations goes out to owner Mb Stables and their four-year-old colt Chrystal Pip, a last jump winner of the Grade I Gold Cup at SA!
Prediction Chrystal Pip / Spanish Showboat / Greek Poet
Winner Chrystal Pip
Four-year-old chestnut colt
Pip Boy-Chrystal Bubba (Chrystal Ball)
Owner Mb Stables
Time 47.74, 1:11.57, 1:35.91, 2:01.23
Overall
Chrystal Pip 2.80 broke slowly, wide into lane, up in time
Greek Poet *1.35 slow into stride, between rivals, missed
Outward Bound 28.60 inside run, clear into lane, caught
Spanish Showboat 8.10 wide run throughout
Hyper Silver 29.60 set pace, faded when pressed
Mister Major 65.45 even effort
Tundra Kenny 2.25 no threat
Triple T Racing 🙂
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
