SA Handicap (Grade 1)- $750.000 Purse
SA- For Four Year Olds and Upward
One Mile and One Quarter on the Dirt
March 11, 2017
Back in November, Atomic Twister won the biggest races any horse can ever win in their lifetime, the BC Classic, right here at SA. Since it was one of just two races he would win for the year, he was bypassed for Horse of the Year honors. He is back for more this year, and even though the Pegasus World Cup did not go well for him, you just knew that he would be one of the horses to beat as he returned to SA. We placed him second in our picks, moreso because I had a gut feeling on another, Black Mojo, who did eventually be the post-time favorite. Atomic Twister, somehow, was allowed to go off at odds of nearly 8/1. He’ll be more of a favorite like he should be next time as he didn’t just win this race, you can fairly say that he dominated it, winning by nearly three lengths, which is a rout in our virtual world. I Ortiz Jr was aboard the winner, his first win in the stake, just like it is for proud trainer Blushing Meadows! Congratulations to the winners! The time of victory was 2:00.47, the second quickest in the history of the stake. Let’s look at it more!
Half-Mile (:46.99)- Atomic Twister (Blushing Meadows) changes it up right from the start, and does not elect to go to the rear of the field, as we often see. This time, he breaks alertly and battles Rajivs Roadblock (Night Rider Stables) in the frontstretch and while going around the turn. Ultimately, it ends up being Rajivs Roadblock setting the fraction, but Atomic Twister wsa right there with him. There’s a gap of two to the third place Blue Guy (Grimley), who seems to be in a good stalking spot. A length behind that one, we have a three wide battle shaping up with First Rebellion (Mb Stables) on the inside and his stablemate Spring Lover, the eventual runner up, in between horses. Salt Lake City (Yahudi Stables) is just to the outside of this. Behind that, we have another four-wide group towards the back about five lengths back, consisting of, from inside to outside: Black Mojo (Mb Stables), Copper Beast (John Henry), Cju (Maxmillion Farm), and Gentile Il Buono (Sc Lanciano). At the back of the field are four more running four-wide, and they are, from inside to outside: ThatsTheTruth (TwinTowersRacing), Outward Bound and stablemate A One (Eastern Equine), and finally eventual third place finisher Port On The Horizon (D J C Racing Stables).
Six Furlongs (1:10.62): At the front, Atomic Twister and Rajivs Roadblock are still going at it, but this time it is our defending BC Classic champion with a head out in front. Not much has changed with Blue Guy, who remains third behind them, and two lengths from the lead. The three wide that had been behind them is still unchanged, but Salt Lake City starts to show a little more desire to move forward. Behind them, the two waves of four wide are still in tact, but the wave that had been the one behind is starting to run into those ahead of them, and they look to figure out how they can get by. Port On The Horizon has the clearest lane of the group, as he is able to swing to the outside.
One Mile (1:34.94)- A lot has changed at the front over the course of running around the final turn and moving into the stretch. Atomic Twister has given Rajivs Roadblock the slip, and begins to pull away from the field. Many in the crowd who also attended the BC were certainly having flashbacks at this point. Rajivs Roadblock fell three lengths back in the turn alone. Blue Guy, who had been stalking, had an even worse time of it and was now five lengths out. The top contenders looked like they may be Salt Lake City, who had handled the turn well, and Spring Lover, who was getting set to pass Rajivs Roadblock. First Rebellion was also in a steady stride around the turn and part of the push forward. Behind them, just one big ol’ HRP jumbo cluster of virtual horse flesh. The back seven were separated by one who length.
Finish (2:00.47)- As far as Atomic Twister was concerned, all he really needed to do was not break a leg in the stretch. It’s not often that we see these kind of routs in a race like this, and Atomic Twister made a statement here today, a emphatic statement that his sights are on Horse of the Year for 2017. Congratulations to him on his fantastic victory, to trainer Blushing Meadows, and jockey I Ortiz Jr. Behind him, Spring Lover would emerge as being the best of the rest, and would hold off stablemate First Rebellion to the wire. That one would be fourth because on the far outside, Port On The Horizon came on strong and prevailed in a tight photo for third. The Eastern Equine horses were both solid in the stretch, each in different ways. Outward Bound split the middle and made up ground late while A One was outward bound in practice going about 10 wide in his late bid. He showed that he still has it at this point, and he really didn’t have a good trip here today. Gentile Il Buono had a consistent stride to the wire in an outer lane as well. Salt Lake City seemed to be in a great position for the stretch run, but simply did not respond well when run was needed. Others were merely part of the pack, but only three lengths separated 2nd from 14th, so no one should be discouraged.
About the winner: Atomic Twister is a four year old colt by Rene and out of Uncle Ho. He was bred in Florida as a second quarter two year old and was formerly known with a middle name as well. Breeder Blushing Meadows is the only owner he has ever known! Congratulations to the connections! The win is his 4th in 18 starts, and his career earnings now stand at $5,410.550.
Track: Fast
Time: :464 1:103 1:344 2:002
$2 Mutuel Prices:
$1 Exacta: 10 – 11 Paid 40.50
$1 Trifecta: 10 – 11 – 12 Paid 525.30
— NS
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
