Woodford – Grade II

5 1/2 Furlongs Turf Stake Purse $400.00 Open 3 Year Olds And Up.

1st        Exuberant        Mb Stables      Curtis B                            1:01.82

This was a day when Mb Stables looked almost human but this race always looked theirs for the taking, it was just maybe not this horse that was the most obvious winner. A deep closer in the mile and 3/8ths DMR Handicap last time, we once again saw the pattern of HRP here as he came back to five and a half furlongs to win this race with ease. Sprinters tend to become deep closers when raced outside their comfort zone trip and it is pretty obvious now that this five year old IS a sprinter as he coasted to a two length win and broke 1.02 in the process.           

He may not be the winner we thought but you don’t get much more impressive than this in a sprint.

2nd       Mosquito          Spankys Barn                Gaffalione T    1:02.23

The six year old ran his heart out as always but just couldn’t get near the winner at the end today. He battled on bravely to hold onto second from a wall of horses.              

3rd        No Prince         Mb Stables      Velazquez J R                1:02.25

A stakes winning router and a stakes winning sprinter, he tried to go on speed again today but was just too one paced at the end. It is not easy for three year olds against older more experienced rivals but he ran his race well but had to settle for third. He may end up being just a smidgen better at six plus than he is over the real speed trips.      

4th        Safe Di               Gdp Inc             Saez L                               1:02.29             

The trainer and their stable had taken some time off but both they and their horses have been back and busy and showing just how good both are. This one got stuck in the pack but emerged well for fourth and still has plenty of miles on the clock.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES