Nearctic Stakes (Grade 2)- $300.000 Purse
WO- For Three Year Olds and Upward
Six Furlongs on the Turf
October 16, 2016

This Sunday as Pattison day here at WO, and enough rain to downgrade the turf course as yielding meant that the feature race as well as the grass races on the undercard also had to go on the off track.  The 11th running of the Nearctic Stakes, therefore, went on a yielding turf, something which threw a curveball to any pre-race predictions.   Although our pre-race selection of Torres Bounce should have looked even better given that he was 4-for-5 on off tracks heading into this race.  Instead, Torres shot wide, and the winner would come from the horse that started in the gate over.   American Life was claimed by Angelos Stable in July, and this gelding who’s become used to different trainers ran well in his graded debut in September.  It wasn’t a win but it showed promise in what was yet to come.  Today would be the day as American Life gets a big win in the Grade 2 Nearctic.  Congratulations to trainer Angelos Stable, who wins the race for the first time.  That also holds true for jockey R J Albarado.  The time of the win was 1:10.03 on the yielding turf.  Let’s look more at it!

1st- 6- American Life (6/1)- Today’s eventual winner from Angelos Stable was the quickest of them all right out of the gate, but soon backed off into a stalking position behind the ambitious frontrunners.  As things settled in for the turn, he was in the middle of three wide battling for third, about a length and a half from Fire Up The Night.  Held his ground around the turn, and jockey R J Albarado would position him for a move forward to the outside of Hes Juiced Up.  American Life responded with an explosive run, clearly showing that he was going to be challenger for this win.  In fact, it didn’t take long at all for him to catch Fire Up The Night and to go on by.  With a furlong to go, the lead was all his and there was no challenger close enough to pose a threat to him.  He would win while driving by approximately three lengths!  American Life is a three year old gelding by Chief Charley and out of Moralising.  After a period of horse selling park at its finest at the beginning of the year, it was through a claim in which he was acquired by the trainer, via Luz International for $40.000.  Congratulations to the connections!

2nd- 7- Fire Up The Night (4/1)- The post time favorite from John Henry shot out of the gate and held off a couple of outside pushers to get the lead early.  He would be able to move to the rail in time for the turn, while setting the 1/4 mile on the yielding turf in :23.19.  Handled the turn strongly, and increased his advantage to 2 lengths, going a half in :46.42, as they hit the top of the stretch.   Seemed to be in good shape until American Life exploded with run at this point.  The winner went easily, but it might be worth knowing he led Viking Tiz by five lengths with a furlong to go, and was nearly caught by him at the wire.

3rd- 8- Viking Tiz (46/1)- The longest shot on the board was making his turf debut here, and started it much like he was on the dirt, going to the back of the field.  Stayed there most of the way, and even at the top of the stretch, it seemed as though there was too much ground to make up and that he was running into traffic.   In the final half furlong, he was at his absolute best, and that is what allowed him to get up for third, and barely missed second.

4th- 3- Smooth Linguist (6/1)– Our entry from Canadian Racing got off to a conservative start overall, opting to run in the middle of the field alongside B K D Express.  This allowed him to maintain a beneficial position behind American Life, so when that one made his move, Smooth Linguist tried his best to follow him right through.  Didn’t have the same power in his stride, but it allowed to maneuver through the developing wall easily to get a check for the trainer.

5th- 10- Bonsai Gullis (20/1)- Not surprisingly, the closer from Threshold went directly to the rear of the field to start the race.  Midway into the turn, he had 8 ½ lengths to make, including two to the next closest competitor.  Looked to split the field at the top of the stretch, and seemed good initially before Hes Juiced Up caused him to break stride.  Recovered and ran well to the wire.

6th- 1- B K D Express (9/1)- The entry from Drabfantasy got off to a midpack start, and found himself in seventh as they made the backstretch run.  Ran steady in the turn, and was boxed in a little bit by Night Time Breeze, though was able to get to his outside with plenty of time left.  Never put forth a run to the front, but was not bad either.  Gets a finishing position deserving of his effort.

7th- 11- I Am Machine (11/1)- The Night Mare Racing entry broke well out of the gate and was one of four contesting the early leading going into the turn.  He would end up conceding a couple lengths though before reaching the top of the stretch.  Kept a steady stride and seemed poised for a better finishing position but last furlong was quite a struggle.

8th- 5- Torres Bounce (8/1)- Our pre-race selection from Night Rider Stables was not able to use the yielding turf to his advantage and went right to a position in the middle of the field.  Maintained this position around the turn and heading into the stretch, he seemed to have a strong lane to strike from.  Could never make any progress as he drifted in the stretch.

9th- 12- Hes Juiced Up (8/1)- From his outside post, the Australia Wide entry started strongly, and was running with the pacesetter Fire Up The Night as they moved into the turn.  Began to lose ground on exit of the turn, and struggled in the stretch.

10th-9- Discernment (7/1)- Started near the rear of the field for Mb Stables.   Midway into the turn, it seemed as though he was looking for a lane and would at least past a handful in the stretch.  That would never materialize.

11th- 4- Night Time Breeze (7/1)- The Maxmillion Farm entry started better then he would finish, stalking the leaders down the backstretch and being within two lengths as they moved into the turn.  Had a good position on the rail but was never able to fire.

Track: Yielding
Time: :23   :46²  :58¹  1:10

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 6 – 7 Paid 39.10
$1 Trifecta: 6 – 7 – 8 Paid 1,356.60

Scratched: Omniscient Affairs

— NS

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES