The 19th Running of the G3 Appleton

Saturday, April 1, 2023

GP Race #15 $150.000

4+  124 Lbs (plus penalties) 1-Mile (Inner Turf)

Course Record-1:32.03 (Hawaiian Lord-2023)

Stakes Record-1:32.06 (Stealth Fighter-2013)

1st: #4 Affirmed Authority (Asgar/M. Franco): Quickly settled behind stalking trio.  Inched-up through the turn for home before shifting-out, looking for room.  Had to wait for seam between the top two.  Began eating up the ground with a furlong to run and steadily edged away in the last 50 yds.

2nd: #3 Commanding Officer (Winning Link Stables/J. Loveberry): Tracked the pace from the two-path.  Bided his time before taking his shot as they rounded the second bend.  Made the lead around the eighth pole but couldn’t hold off the winner.

3rd: #10 Chai Danger (Wolf Ridge Stables/S. Elliott): Unhurried early at the rear of the field.  Began a major move as they were rounding the final bend.  Was 8-9 wide through the lane and just missed the place.

4th: #9 Aerialist (Mb Stables/F.T. Alvarado): Midpack and three-wide to the backstretch.  Picked his way through traffic in the lane to grab the final slice.

The final time for the mile was 1:32.46 on a GP inner turf course listed as firm.  Affirmed Authority has now won three races (including two stakes) in a row.  The G3 Appleton victory makes his 6th win in 20 starts.  He has earned $456.750, all under the tutelage of Asgar.  Congratulations to Affirmed Authority and Asgar on their victory in the G3 Appleton!

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES