The Pebbles (Grade 3)- $200.000 Purse
AQU- For Fillies Three Years Old
One Mile on the Inner Turf
November 11, 2023

It was back to the grass for Temperature, a horse that Riggins Racing spent $375.000 on early in the year and turned in decent results, but the expectations were likely higher. She had been running well on the turf, but the trainer took a couple cracks at the main track, and the results were similar: good, but not great. The Pebbles looked to be a great spot for her as she returned to the turf, and she would get the job done, with her second win in her last three graded races on the grass. For Riggins Racing, this is his first win in this race, and it is the second for jockey J Rosario. Congratulations to them! The race was won in a time of 1:33.14, a bit faster than last year, which is the only edition of the race it can fairly be compared to. Let’s take a look at it!

(1/4 Mile- :23.49)- The early lead would be contested by Emily and Pippin, respectively trained by Nakamura Stables and Arindel, and there would be no separating them after a quarter mile. Tall Southern Lady will run third, about a length behind them for Oquinn Farm. On the far outside, Spliter, trained by Sheffler Stables, had no choice but to be caught very wide in the opening turn, but for now he was running evenly with TwinTowersRacing’s Red Wave, who had the luxury of riding on the rail. Midway between these two horses would be the race’s eventual winner from Riggins Racing, Temperature, who was in a good position for herself in the early going. Nearby to them is Favorite Sister (Black N Gold Stable), with Mo Ki Mo (Smokey Stover) next and also caught out wide. Cowgirls (Maxmillion Farm) trailed the field.

(½ Mile- :46.80)- Emily gets the better of Pippin during the opening turn and begins to pull away from her down the backstretch. Her advantage is now a full length after a half mile, and now Tall Southern Lady runs evenly with Pippin. Red Wave runs comfortably on the rail in the fourth position, and Spliter would ultimately be able to move inside several lanes, but probably a little too late. Temperature was in the mix of it all, running in the middle of the field, and only a length and a half from the front. Mo Ki Mo ran with this group, then it was a length to Favorite Sister, and further back to Cowgirls.

(Top of Stretch, 1.7F To Go)- Emily will show the way around the final turn, but Tall Southern Lady wanted to mount a challenge for the lead on exit of the turn. Emily did well to answer that and showed that she would likely be tough to deal with in the stretch. Pippin ran to the outside, trying to stay in contact with the leaders, all while Temperature began inching ever so closer. It wasn’t a powerful charge, as after all she was always close enough to the front to where that would not be necessary, but this gradual progress had her a length from the lead and a threat to Emily. Red Wave needed more of a response here, and was not showing it, and both Spliter and Mo Ki Mo were not able to get involved. Favorite Sister began to get closer to them, and Cowgirls still had not mounted a bid.

(Finish- 1:33.14)- Soon in the stretch, Emily began to drift to the outside, creating a larger opening for Temperature to come on through. Now, Temperature likely did not need this to happen, as the gap seemed like it would have been large enough anyway, but sure she would appreciate Emily’s courteous nature. With a furlong to go, the steady stride of Tall Southern Lady saw her take the lead for a moment, but Temperature was gradually better with every stride, and there was enough time for her to get the job done at this rate. Sure enough, that’s how it play out in the stretch. She was just a little quicker than her rivals, and outkicked them to the wire, beating Tall Southern Lady by almost a full length, with Emily good enough to be third and not be challenged by any new rivals. Pippin dropped out of it, but still was good enough to remain fourth, narrowly over Red Wave. The rest of the field were very close to one another, and will officially read as Favorite Sister, Mo Ki Mo, Spliter, and Cowgirls.

About The Winner- Temperature, trained by Riggins Racing, and ridden to victory by J Rosario, is a three-year-old filly by Fetched, and is out of Downhill Direction. She was bred in the great breeding state of Pennsylvania by Aer Stables as a yearling and was acquired by Riggins Racing in private sales for $375.000 in late March. Congratulations to the connections! The win is her fifth in 14 starts, her fourth stake win, and third graded win. Her career earnings are now $592.590.

Track: Firm
Time: :23²  :46⁴  1:10¹  1:33

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 4 – 2 Paid 78.40
$1 Trifecta: 4 – 2 – 3 Paid 1,397.50

Scratched: Hollywood Twister

— NS

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES