April 11, 2016
There was much on the line in the Grade III Fantasy at OP on Saturday afternoon and while other eyes in the three-year-old filly division might have been on SA or KEE, it was a lightly raced filly who took all the attention and sprinted clear to the largest victory margin of the day. Art Of Glory, out of nicely bred sire Folk Art and the first foal from simple mare Bonds Of Glory, proved that her second in the Busher at AQU was no fluke and came away with a solid one-length score, upping her record to two wins and two seconds from four career starts while earning 100-points towards the KYO, more than enough to guarantee her spot in that $1,000.000 event.
The run into the first turn at OP is so short at the 1 1/16 mile distance that the outside horses either have to go quickly or take back and that allowed Lisas Girl (5.80) to sprint to the advantage from midpack with Motor Home (8.05) holding well in second along the rail. Art Of Glory (2.90) quickly moved forward into the bend with Get The Girl (10.20) to her inside and those three established the lead trio through a first fraction of 23.94. As the field hit the backstretch, Proud Bird (8.30) zoomed up after retreating from her wide post and raced neck and neck with Lisas Girl, which forced Art Of Glory to fall back into third with Cardinal Fire (28.50) to her outside. A half-mile in a moderate 48.07 saw the co-leaders more than two-lengths clear of the field and while Motor Home tried to find a way without losing ground, Cardinal Fire looked to have the best chance of pouncing on the quickening pace. Proud Bird looked relaxed as could be outside of Lisas Girl through six-furlongs in 1:11.60 but as the leaders inched off the rail, a space opened up for Art Of Glory and found her speed in the final furlong to make things very interesting. With straight and powerful strides, no one was able to find faster closing speed than the lightly raced filly and she drew away from a stubborn Proud Bird to score by a length, with Lisas Girl holding on for third from Cardinal Fire, who finished evenly after menacing late. Motor Home finished in midpack with favourite Summer Sampler (*2.75), who came wide but never got involved, while Get The Girl never fired and Viking Christmas (7.15) and Sanny Senorita (21.75) wound up at the back after failing to show anything.
Art Of Glory ran absolutely huge in the Grade III Fantasy and earned her way into the KYO with a stunning late turn of foot that will only enhance her chances if he gets a semi-decent post position. She sprinted to command early but took back like an experienced filly and made a final late move and that kind of knowledge, coupled with improving form and much to gain, give her a huge edge that others in the field will not enjoy.
Congratulations goes out to owner Blushing Meadows and their three-year-old filly Art Of Glory, a going-away winner of the Grade III Fantasy at OP!
Prediction Art Of Glory / Proud Bird / Summer Sampler
Winner Art Of Glory
Three-year-old bay filly
Folk Art-Bonds Of Glory (Out Of The Park)
Owner Blushing Meadows
Time 23.94, 48.07, 1:11.60, 1:41.87
Overall
Art Of Glory 2.90 stalked, inside run, drew off
Proud Bird 8.30 powerful middle move, caught late
Lisas Girl 5.80 sat inside, battled, failed to keep going
Cardinal Fire 28.50 stalked, no late momentum
Motor Home 8.05 even trip inside
Summer Sampler *2.75 wide late rally
Get The Girl 10.20 broke well, faded
Viking Christmas 7.15 outrun
Sanny Senorita 21.75 outrun
Triple T Racing 🙂
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
