HOU 6 Connally BC Turf (GIII)
$200.000 4yo&Up 1 1/2m Turf 123lbs +penalties
A change in tactics told the story for Mb Stables’ Arkenstone. In ghte BC Mile (GI) he was on the gas, today, allowed to settle well off of the pace and cruise to a three length victory in the Connally BC Turf (GIII) over a soft HOU turf course. Controlled Power closed as well to nab the second spot, with post time favorite Techfluence in third. The final running time was 2:31.08
The field got away from the gate with Techfluence shows speed from the outside, The Ego Has Landed from the rail and Maybe Tonight next to that one. Steel Home just in behind that trio then a gap to Controlled Power, Arkenstone on the rail, Blue Eight on the outside of that pair and Bold Glitter was the early trailer.
Swing around the far turn the first time and into the lane with the crowd cheering them on, there was a mile left to run and The Ego Has Landed was now in front by a length. Maybe Tonight and Techfluence giving chase, a gap of four back to Steel Home on the inside of Blue Eight, two more back to Arkenstone, Controlled Power on his flank and Bold Glitter was the back marker, ten length from the leader.
Thru the lane and around the clubhouse turn, they were making their way onto the back stretch with five furlongs to run, Techfluence moved up to take the lead by a length and a quarter. The Ego Has Landed in second, another length to Maybe Tonight, then a long gap of five back to Blue Eight on the outside of Steel Home, two more to Areknstone, Controlled Power still on the outside of that one and Bold Glitter continued to trail now eleven lengths from the front end.
They made their way into the far turn and past the five-sixteenths pole and Techfluence burst out to a six length lead. The Ego Has Landed on the rail, Maybe Tonight between horses, Controlled Power three wide, another length to Arkenstone moving very quickly, Bold Glitter now finding stride and moving forward, Blue Eight a length off of that one and Steel Home was now at the rear.
Into the lane and nearing the furlong marker, Techfluence in front by two and a half lengths but that lead was evaporating like tequila on a hot Houston evening. Arkenstone flying down the middle of the track, Controlled Power to his inside and closing quick, Bold Glitter trying to find more and the rest had a lot of work to do and a furlong to figure it out.
Deep stretch and to the finish, Arkenstone was absolutely flying and went by Techfluence like he was standing still and went under the wire as much the best, winning by three lengths. Controlled Power came on to nip Techfluence for the second spot, with Bold Glitter continuing on in the fourth spot. Blue Eight was fifth, Maybe Tonight in sixth, Steel Home in seventh and The Ego Has Landed tired to be last in the field of eight.
Arkenstone is a 4yo gelding by Keyed Up – Arc Of Charley, by Chief Charley and he was bred by Team 7 Illusions in ON. Now showing six wins from seventeen starts, he has $734.380 in earnings and another graded win under his belt. Congrats to Mb and
Arkenstone.
$2 Mutuel Prices:
| 2 – Arkenstone | 10.10 | 5.30 | 2.90 |
| 3 – Controlled Power | 4.50 | 2.70 | |
| 9 – Techfluence | 2.50 |
Track: Soft Time: :503 1:154 2:06 2:31
$1 Exacta: 2 – 3 Paid 22.00 $1 Trifecta: 2 – 3 – 9 Paid 33.80
Scratched: Early Retirement(L)
Arkenstone was restrained til midway on the far turn, responded when asked, took over at will and won as much the best. Controlled Power rated back, closed well, just up for the place. Techfluence tracked the pace throughout, clear lead into the stretch, caught, nothing left. Bold Glitter trailed, some late effort. Blue Eight raced evenly while no threat. Maybe Tonight sat just behind the lead, tired. Steel Home tired. The Ego Has Landed showed the way early, stopped.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
