The Phipps (Grade 1) (BC)- $500.000 Purse
SAR- For Fillies and Mares Four Years Old and Upward
One Mile and One Eighth on the Dirt
June 8, 2024

Starting Over has been in the BC for the last two years and ran third in the BC Distaff at SA last fall. Now, she knows that she will be heading back for that race again just as long as the trainer, TwinTowersRacing, wants her there as she picked up an impressive two length win in the Grade 1 Phipps at SAR. It’s her third Grade 1 at SAR! We didn’t have her as our top choice, but she was one of our picks, and she went off as the third choice of the wagering public. TwinTowersRacing gets his first win in the Phipps, but it’s a common occurrence to see J R Velazquez in the winner’s circle afterwards, as he wins for the fifth time. Congratulations to them! The time of win was 1:47.59, which cannot be compared to any prior edition fairly. Let’s take a look at it:

(½ Mile- :46.72)- My Pretty was certainly ready to run right out of the starting gate, and she gets away quickly by two lengths for Fractious with only Horing Gal, out of Night Rider Stables, near her as they move around the clubhouse turn. However, Untidy wasn’t going to let My Pretty have it too easy early on. She wasn’t initially quick out of the gate, but the Mb Stables filly made a charge around the turn, and after a half mile that push moved her all the way up into the second position and within a length of My Pretty. Behind these two, Shining At Knight, from Our Athletes, would pass Horing Gal, leaving that one fourth and the reigning Phipps winner, Matamta was fifth to their outside for Smokey Stover. After about a length, Mo Mentum Farm’s Appreciate led the rest of the field. To his inside on the rail, we had Spanky Barn’s Scalp. American Sky, the post time favorite from Iolaus Racing was next, and right beside her, running in the ninth position is where our eventual winner from TwinTowersRacing, Starting Over, is found at this point. It’s another length to Alice Springs (London Racing), and at the back, Sexy Angelina (Night Rider Stables) and One Fine Dame (D J C Racing Stables) are the trailers.

(3/4 Mile- 1:10.98)- My Pretty continues to be the leader down the backstretch as Untidy does not apply anymore pressure at this point of the race. Once she was alongside the leader, she was content to stay in that spot. Shining At Knight makes a push at the end of the backstretch, leaving Horing Gal and Matamata behind as she looks to make a three wide bid for the lead in the turn. Those other two are still fourth and fifth but were about to see Starting Over pass them both. At the top of the turn, Starting Over was asked for more run by J R Velazquez, and she would respond well to that encouragement, getting by American Sky, Scalp, and then Appreciate as she set her sights on those at the front.

(Top of Stretch, 1.8F To Go)- My Pretty did a good job out front for most of the turn, but as they got closer to the stretch, she was unable to hold off Shining At Knight, who took the lead by a neck entering the stretch. My Pretty was trying to hang on, but Untidy was showing signs of weakening. Even though Shining At Knight took the top spot here, all eyes had to be on Starting Over due to the way that she handled the turn. There was simply no one better at this point, and she quickly moved into the fourth spot and about to pass Untidy within the first strides of the stretch run. For now, Matamata led the rest of the field, but she was lacking response, and that can also be said for Appreciate. Alice Springs was moving forward a bit, and on the outside, One Fine Dame was looking to make a strong run. Neither American Sky or Scalp were showing much and Horing Gal had packed it in. Sexy Angelina may have had something left, but with One Fine Dame leaving her behind, she had her work cut out for her.

(Finish- 1:47.59)- Shining At Knight would have looked a lot better in the stretch if it were not for Starting Over. It didn’t take long for Starting Over to pull even with her, and go on by as she goes on to win in a comfortable manner, by two lengths. Shining At Knight was never really in jeopardy of falling out of second and will complete the exacta. One Fine Dame’s late run gets her third over Alice Springs, who was another one near the back early but just not as strong as she was. Appreciate is fifth by a nose over Sexy Angelina, with the rest of the order then reading My Pretty, American Sky, Untidy, Matamata, Scalp, and Horing Gal.

About The Winner- Starting Over, trained by TwinTowersRacing and ridden to victory by J R Velazquez, is a six-year-old mare by Start The Car and is out of Im Over It. She was bred by Axeman in Florida as a yearling, and was acquired by TwinTowersRacing, via Maxmillion Farm, in January 2021 for just $15.250. Congratulations to the connections! The win is her tenth in 32 starts, her ninth stake win and seventh graded win. Her career earnings are now $2,853.360. She is now 3-for-3 at SAR with her wins being the Diana, Personal Ensign and Phipps (all Grade 1’s).

Track: Fast
Time: :46³  1:10⁴  1:35³  1:47²

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 10 – 3 Paid 33.80
$1 Trifecta: 10 – 3 – 12 Paid 1,586.10

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES