The Dandy – Grade II
1 1/8 Mile Dirt Stake Purse $600.000 Open 3 Year Olds.
A great win for Eastern Equine and A One he held off the changing of the guard behind him as the classic horses were left floundering by some new pretenders. Here is how the runners went.
1st A One, trained by Eastern Equine
There was plenty of interest into how this one would run after his seasonal record $1,400.000 purchase and I would imagine that his new owner spent a sleepless night in anticipation of this his first run for the new owner. It turned out to be a fairy-tale win for Eastern Equine whose decision to part with such a huge sum was vindicated in no uncertain terms. Always handy to the speed he looked like he was going to stroll away with this race when he hit the front down the stretch but he was made to work by the runner up and won in the end by a quarter length. This was a good win from the Preakness winner and going forward he has to be everyone’s favourite going into the autumn championship races.
2nd Fumble, trained by Mb Stables
Always fear a runner from this stable is a piece of advice everyone should follow. Lightly raced and seemingly out of his depth in this he was probably looking the strongest at the end of this race and you have to feel he may be a threat over a furlong or two further. Perfectly ridden from the inside gate he certainly benefitted from the draw and never has the disadvantage of the draw been more clearly displayed when you compare this run with his last in the Dwyer. Will he be a threat come the BC, well he still has something to prove but he is another random you have to throw into the late season mix.
3rd Captain General, trained by Jerry Garcia Racing
Ran his heart out for third coming from a long way back to beat some of the established season’s stars. This was a career best effort and underlines the fact that this generation is very close from top to bottom but I am pretty sure that this son of Condotteiri will be a factor in the autumn despite the random and inconsistent nature of the three year old generation.
4th Lukas Duke, trained by Jkk Racing Stables
On the speed throughout he gave a great sight as usual and was a very brave fourth. It’s tough to see where there is to go for him now though as he seems a stride off the best three year olds but is clearly competitive and with most of his conditions used up he will have to face this sort of opposition for the rest of his career.
5th Mars, trained by Grimley
Got to the front where he likes to be but just like the other races he has had against the best he was just found wanting inside the final furlong. This was a gutsy effort though but he faces a similar problem to Lukas Duke going forward.
6th Awesome Ruler, trained by D J C Racing Stables
Ran just about as good as expected keeping on well to be three lengths off the winner. This was a fair effort but I just think he needs to take a step back in grade in order to make any progress forward.
7th Kelly Rycroft, trained by Nakamura Stables
Was never really in it and may have been flattered by his second place in the Queens prize. There are races to be won with him but I don’t think they are at this level.
8th Shed A Tear, trained by Mb Stables
He has been struggling since his second in the SUN Derby and is another one who may need some changes to be made if he is going to get back to this level of competition.
9th Luckee, trained by Sanny Village
Was always last and ran a pretty lack lustre race. That being said in true HRP style he was only beaten five lengths so to say he is only that much off potentially the best three year old in training isn’t such a bad effort
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
