SSM Classic ($250.000 Purse)
GP- For Four Year Olds and Upward Foaled in FL
One Mile and One Eighth on the Dirt
January 21, 2017

Apparently, not even trainer Night Rider Stables was expecting this! According to sources (the Horse Talk forum), the trainer strongly considered scratching Rajivs Roadblock this morning because he was not confident in his ability to win the race.  He was not the only one, as I will admit I did not give him much of a chance to win, either, in the preview.  But we run these races on the virtual racetrack, and not in the past performances, and on this day the past accolades of some of the others would not matter.  It would be Rajivs Roadblock coming out on top.  Now, this is not a complete out of nowhere upset, either.   He’s run consistently over the past year, and finished among the top three in several graded events since his last win.   Now, he’s back in the winners circle again!  For the trainer, Night Rider Stables, this is the first time that he was won this stake, and the same holds true for jockey J R Leparoux.  Congratulations to the winners!  The time of the victory was 1:48.11, which ranks it midpack overall compared to other editions.  Let’s look at how it happened!

1st- 5- Rajivs Roadblock (6/1)- It was all about the finish today for the winner from Night Rider Stables.   He was conservative out of the gate, and let the leaders go off and do their own thing as he went to the back of the field, trailing the field if it were not for Dev Null, who forgot he had to race today.  The gap was five to the leaders at the top of the backstretch as he ran in the second lane with Bolkonski, and it would remain five as they moved into the turn.  In the turn, J R Leparoux knew what he had to, and swung his gelding out as far as necessary to ensure a clear path.   It looked like a couple others would have a better run forthcoming as they moved around the turn, but the clear lane for Rajivs Roadblock, even if it was five wide, was very beneficial.  At the top of the stretch, the gap had been cut to three, and he would begin on an all out drive.  In the very late moments, he would show tremendous heart as he did everything in his power to take over the lead.  He would get up just in time to claim the victory!  The time, again, was 1:48.11.  Rajivs Roadblock is a five year old gelding by Don’t Look Back Raj, and out of Fieldsofanfieldroad, who is also the dam of A Class Angie.  She was bred in Florida by Night Rider Stables as a yearling and they have been together throughout! Congratulations to the connections!

2nd- 6- Rising Light (13/1)- Quickest of them all out of the gate for Nakamura Stables, but he would back off just enough and let Mach Love set the early fractions.  He would stalk this pace in the second position, a length and a half back.  Over the course of the backstretch run, however, he would gradually inch closer to Mach Love and had less then a length to make up as they moved into the turn.  Took over the lead not too long after the hit the 3/4 mark, and would lead on exit of the turn and looked to be in great shape at the top of the stretch.  Held off the challengers that were near him the whole way, but the closing run of Rajivs Roadblock was not going to be denied and stole the show.

3rd- 4- Muscle Shoals (6/1)- The TwinTowersRacing entry broke well from the gate and as they moved around the opening turn, he would pull alongside Rising Light about a length and a half from the lead.  Ran well in the backstretch, though he did not seem to be too concerned with Rising Light and was content to run his own pace.   This patience paid off, as a good lane emerged for him to be able to split Mach Love and, potentially, Rising Light.  He would get closer to Rising Light but would never be able to make the pass for the lead, and ultimately dropped to third when Rajivs Roadblock came out of no where.

4th- 7- Alpha Way (5/2)- The post time favorite from Mb Stables got off to a good start and may have thought about contesting the early pace for a moment before backing off in the opening turn. Ran four wide in the backstretch, setting himself up for a wide trip around the turn.  Had a length and a half to make up at the top of the stretch, and it simply seemed like Rising Light and Muscle Shoals were going to be too strong for him in the stretch.   Would have been interesting to see another 1/8 of a mile with him.

5th- 8- Mach Love (9/1)- Got off to a strong start for trainer Mb Stables, jumping out to the lead, and seemed to look comfortable setting the early pace.  Led by a length into the backstretch after running a half in :47.38.  He would be able to cruise along without much pressure as they moved into the final turn.  Midway through, Rising Light went by, but Mach Love never went away completely, which may have been bad news for a couple that wanted to use his lane.  Had a steady run to the wire.

6th- 3- Champagne Supernova (7/1)- Started in the middle of the field for Eastern Equine, finding himself in seemingly good position between Alpha Way and Royal Prodigy about three lengths off the lead.  Looked for room to run as they moved into the turn, but he ended up in tight quarters with Royal Prodigy coming down on him, but still, the lane behind Rising Light always seemed to be there for him, and he could not advance his position much.

7th- 2- Royal Prodigy (7/2)- Perhaps the most disappointing performance of the race.  The Mb Stables entry started decently enough, running just off the lead before settling in to a midpack spot for the backstretch.  Handled the turn well, and may have just been waiting for the ideal lane to open up, and that never came about.  Ran with the pack to the wire.

8th- 1- Bolkonski (55/1)- The longest shot on the board, for Australia Wide, did not get involved in the early moments of the race, and was towards the back early.  Hung around back there, and it seemed like a nice potential lane opened up for him moving around the final turn, but he could take advantage, as he began his run way too late.

9th- 9- Dev Null (9/1)- May have missed the break from the gate for End Run Farm, as he was left behind early.  Trailed be eight into the backstretch, and nearly three lengths behind the next closest horse for him to pass.  At no point did he ever look like he was going to pass anyone.

Track: Fast
Time: :47¹  1:11   1:35¹  1:48

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 5 – 6 Paid 85.50
$1 Trifecta: 5 – 6 – 4 Paid 1,178.10

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded