Saturday’s Yellow Ribbon Handicap (G2) is a perfect example of why I have never won a handicapping contest. But in my defense, Earthly Gran went off at 15-1 in the 1 1/16 mile contest, by far the longest shot on the board. After finishing 2nd in the Penny Memorial Handicap (G3) on a good turf surface earlier this month in her first attempt on turf, the daughter of El Gran Senor came right back for the biggest win in her short career.
Earthly Gran broke sharply to take a slight early lead, but by the time the field entered the main track, Girl Talk was in control. Earthly Gran and True Religion ran stride for stride in second, with In Z Balance between them in third while Bombay Productions trailed early.
Into the first turn, Girl Talk settled into a 1 length lead with True Religion just behind her on the rail, In Z Balance to her outside, and Earthly Gran 3 wide in 4th. Midway on the turn, True Religion challenged Girl Talk for the lead but, Girl Talk fought back and they reached the backstretch together.
These two – Girl Talk and True Religion – battled on the lead through the backstretch, neither willing to yield. As they reached the far turn, True Religion finally got past Girl Talk. Meanwhile, the trailers were beginning to make their move. Earthly Gran was taken five wide, while In Z Balance stayed close to the rail looking for running room.
By the time they reached the middle of the turn, only a length separated the entire field, with True Religion clinging to a ¼ length lead over the surging Earthly Gran. Girl Talk was done for, and In Z Balance and Bombay Productions tried to find a seam.
Earthly Gran took command into the stretch, pulling away by a length in the shadow of the wire with Bombay Productions and In Z Balance locked in a duel for second. At the wire it was Earthly Gran by a length over Bombay Productions who got a nose in front of In Z Balance.
It was the 3rd win in 7 starts for the four-year-old filly, bringing her record to 7-3-1-1 $272.000.
Complete Order of Finish
Earthly Gran – Made a big move on the turn for home and took control in the stretch
Bombay Productions – Trailed most of the way, then exploded down the lane to just edge out the favorite for 2nd
In Z Balance – Put in a good run but was just too little too late
True Religion and Girl Talk – Battled for the lead through the backstretch; tired in the stretch
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
