The Hanshin ($300.000 Purse)
CD- For Four Year Olds and Upward
One Mile on the Dirt
June 30, 2024

Six horses took part in the Hanshin on Sunday, and after running a mile, it would be Duppy Story picking up the victory. He was our pick to win, but the bettors did not seem to agree and made him a 7/1 longshot. Trainer Ajm Stables will be happy to cash in on that victory, which is the third stake win for the gelding. For Duppy Story, it is his biggest win in terms of purse money won, and he is also now 3-for-3 here at CD. It is the first time that either Ajm Stables or jockey P Lopez have won this race. Congratulations to them! The time of the win was 1:34.12, the second quickest in the history of the race, and fastest of the editions held here at CD. This victory also secured a personal weekend sweep for me and my picks, as I did call the winner in each of my previews this weekend and am now five for my last six races in picking the winner. It’s not going to last, so let me enjoy it now. Let’s take a look at the race:

(1/4 Mile- :23.42)- From the rail, it will be All Take that is the quickest at the start, and the Alydar Stables entry will have an uncontested length lead early on. They are three wide behind him, and the horse in the middle of that group is our eventual winner from Ajm Stables, Duppy Story. He’s second by a head over Mb Stables- trained Prevent, who is to his inside. On the outside here is Parkers Pride’s Wonder Run, who is also within a length. Right behind them are the two trailers, Investment Center (TwinTowersRacing) and Star Conclusion (D J C Racing Stables). Just three lengths separates first from last at this point.

(½ Mile- :46.88)- Down the backstretch, All Take is still the leader and remains unchallenged for now. Duppy Story is second but has tried to pull away from Prevent a little bit, though that one still does well to stay within a length. The same cannot be said for Wonder Run, who loses ground midway through the backstretch. Investment Center is next, and a length ahead of Star Conclusion.

(Top of Stretch, 1.8F to Go)- The field makes their way around the turn with All Take still the leader, but Duppy Story begins to reel him in, especially over the second half of the turn. Once they hit the top of the stretch, he’s only behind by a neck. There’s some room there for Prevent to come between them if he was able to make a run, and that one still looks like he can be a factor. Investment Center is hitting his best stride now on exit of the turn and is imminently about to pass Wonder Run. Star Conclusion was coming up empty.

(Finish- 1:34.12)- Duppy Story takes the lead early in the stretch, but could not put a lot of distance between him and the others. However, this steady stride seemed like it would be enough to hold off both All Take and Prevent to the wire. Investment Center, meanwhile, was looming as the bigger concern, especially when S X Bridgmohan moved him to the rail in the final furlong. He would make a bid, but Duppy Story was able to hang tough and get the victory by a quarter length! Investment Center completes the exacta by getting the headbob on Prevent for place, and All Take was nearby in fourth. It was two lengths to Wonder Run, and two more to Star Conclusion.

About The Winner- Duppy Story, trained by Ajm Stables and ridden to victory by P Lopez, is a six-year-old gelding by Dial It In and is out of Lookintomyeyes. He was bred by Night Rider Stables as a third quarter two-year-old in New York and was acquired by Ajm Stables with a $16.000 claim in June 2023. Congratulations to the connections! The win is his tenth in 21 starts, and his fourth stake win. His career earnings are now $771.320.

Track: Fast
Time: :23²  :46⁴  1:10²  1:34

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 3 – 4 Paid 50.50
$1 Trifecta: 3 – 4 – 2 Paid 1,229.90

Scratched: Everest

— NS

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded