The Clement Turf – Grade I

1 1/2 Miles In Turf Graded Stake Purse $750.00 Three Year Olds And Upward. At SAR

1st      Kegger               Ajm Stables             9-1 (HRP) 4-1 (SRF)

Kegger benefitted from a speed duel between Ello Santa and State Cavier, not particularly hot until they were heading home and Ello Santa started his challenge that ultimately sent State Cavier to fifth. Meanwhile… Kegger (remember Kegger; this part of the article is about Kegger) is biding his time back in seventh, waiting to see how things shake out up front, and I’d say they shook out pretty well as he began a move around the far turn that had him fourth only a couple of lengths back at the top of the stretch which he erased down the lane and got his head in front at the wire.  

2nd      Tom Kha Gai       High Voltage                3-1 (HRP) *4-1 (SRF)

I made Tom Kha Gai the favourite based on the fact that he had just soundly trounced Kegger in the Bowling Green, and I figured the betting public would pick up on that. I was wrong. Also, just because I made him favourite doesn’t mean I thought he would win. In fact, I had him fourth. I was wrong. He, also, was lying in wait for the speed to take its toll, and as he swept down the stretch, he was actually in front of Kegger but could not hold that one for the win.

3rd      Ello Santa                           Mb Stables             *2-1 (HRP) 4-1 (SRF)

Ello Santa showed he always has marathon power tucked away in his back pocket. He forced the leader along at a comfortable pace (for him) until they were coming home where he increased the pressure on State Cavier which was game into the stretch until fading in the final strides. And then came the closers like reincarnated velociraptors clawing their way into first and second places.

4th      Theegala                   Mb Stables             6-1 (HRP) 8-1 (SRF)

Theegala is remarkably comfortable running on the lead or coming from a deep close position. In his first couple of races for Mb Stables he was sent out on the lead with excellent results. Today his instructions were obviously deep close, only he went too deep, too long and, by the time he reached the stretch, he was still seventh back four lengths. He closed with determination but a length too late in fourth.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES