77/17/21

  11  MTH    The Haskell (GI)   [BC]

          $1,000.000    3yo     1 1/8m  Dirt     123lbs

If Mb Stables is Superman (and he may be), then Aer Stables must mine kryptonite for a living.  New track, new horse, similar ending as Locamotive gets up late to edge Howl Of The Hound by a neck, taking the 2021 Haskell (GI) in a final time of 1:47.82 for the mile and an eighth.  Howl Of The Hound made sure nothing got in his way this time, going right to the front, controlling the pace and just couldn’t hold off the winner late, running a big race as well.  Tequila Rose was three-quarters of a length back in third, nosing out Fairly Lucky who was fourth.  It was a very competitive and hard fought race, only six lengths covered them all.

The field loaded into the gate, the flag was up and away in the 2021 Haskel, here at MTH.  Howl Of The Hound on the early gas with Tequila Rise on his inside and Fairly Lucky on his outside, then a gap back to a foursome that included Need 4 Speed along the rail, War Chant three wide, Shalangar B B on his outside and back down to Locamotive.  Another gap back to Sports Page on the outside of Grayte Cruise, then Sunset Killer, Dutty John Crow and Clubhouse was the early back marker. 

They made their way around the clubhouse turn, now nearing the back stretch and six furlongs remaining to run, Howl Of The Hound leading every step of the way and in front by two.  Fairly Lucky now giving chase, back down to the rail for Tequila Rise, War Chant just in behind that one, Need 4 Speed on his inside, a gap to Sports Page, another back to Shalangar B B, Clubhouse in behind that one, then Locamotive taken back a bit, Sunset Killer was next, Grayte Cruise and Dutty John Crow was the trailer. 

Down the backside and now moving into the far turn with three furlongs to travel, Howl Of The Hound was making this look easy, in front by three.  Fairly Lucky trying to force the issue, with Tequila Rise on his inside and now War Chant moving up three wide.  Need 4 Speed just to the inside of that one, down to the rail for Clubhouse, Sports Page three wide, Locamotive tucked in along the rail with Shalangar B B out wider, then a gap to Sunset Killer, Grayte Cruise and Dutty John Crow continued to trail. 

Now moving through the far turn and to the top of the lane, they flew past the three-sixteenths pole and Howl Of The Hound was still carrying the load by two, Tequila Rise trying to inch closer, Fairly Lucky losing ground, War Chant three wide with a clear path and having visions from the BEL, Sports Page out wider, back to the inside for Need 4 Speed, Locamotive and Clubhouse.  Out wider for Shalangar B B, Grayte Cruise, Sunset Killer and Dutty John Crow. 

Inside the furlong marker, Howl Of The Hound by a length and a half, Tequila Rise inching up, Fairly Lucky, and now Locamotive with a big inside run.  War Chant with a clear path, Sports Page on his outside… but as they moved inside the final 150-yards and to the finish, Locamotive found a gap on the rail and was moving fastest of all.  Howl Of The Hound’s lead was shrinking fast, as Locamotive was flying, and as they hit the wire, it was a  very close finish and the PHOTO sign went up on the infield tote board.  After viewing the photograph, Locamotive nailed Howl Of The Hound in the last few jumps and took the victory by a neck.  Tequila Rise was three quarters of a length back in third, nosing our Fairly Lucky who was fourth.  Grayte Cruise was fifth, Sports Page sixth, War Chant seventh, Dutty John Crow eighth, Need 4 Speed ninth, Sunset Killer tenth, Clubhouse eleventh and Shlangar B B closed this one out. 

Locamotive is a 3yo gray colt by Manhunt – Yosemite, by Chief Charley, and he was bred by Two Hearts One Love in Cal.  Aer Stables acquired him via private sale prior to his racing career.  This was his fifth win from eleven starts, three of those wins coming this season, and he now shows lifetime earnings of $1,756.400  .  Congratulations to the connections!    

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Fast           Time: :46³  1:10¹  1:34⁴  1:47⁴  (1:47.82 – New Stakes Record)
$1 Exacta: 5 – 12 Paid 17.30             $1 Trifecta: 5 – 12 – 2 Paid 1,334.50
Scratched: Funny Cide (L)

Locamotive rated back, saved ground throughout, responded when asked 2p, shifted down to the rail finding running room, relentless closing effort late, up in final strides setting a new stakes record.  Howl Of The Hound sent from the gate, commanded the pace throughout, nailed on the wire.  Tequila Rise tracked the pace, good effort, out-finished.  Fairly Lucky close up throughout, out-kicked late.  Grayte Cruise taken well off of the pace, good closing effort, best foot too late.  Sports Page went evenly.  War Chant never far from the pace, no excuse.  Dutty John Crow trailed, passed tiring rivals.  Need 4 Speed just in behind pace, tired.  Sunset Killer was outrun.  Clubhouse midpack, tired.  Shalanger B B was never involved. 

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES, THE BREEDERS CUP