Say Florida Sandy- $100.000 Purse
AQU- For Four Year Olds and Upward Foaled In NY
Seven Furlongs on the Dirt
January 11, 2020

While for some reason Pulpit was the third choice of the betting public, he seemed like a lock to win the Say Florida Sandy heading into the race as far as we were concerned. Nothing is automatic in any sport, so Pulpit still had to show up and run his race. He did that, and took home the win. Not sure about the odds in this one, as this race could be used as one of the best examples to show that the game’s morning lines make no sense. No offense to Bo York, but making him the 9/5 favorite? Creep City eventually became the favorite, and at least that made a little more sense. This was not the strongest field, but a win is still a win at this level, so congratulations to trainer D J C Racing Stables and jockey J Lezcano, as each take this stake for the first time in the their careers. The time of the victory was 1:21.65. Here’s a quick look at it!

(1/4 Mile- :23.48)- Bo York, from Supremebeast, was the quickest out of the gate, but relinquishes it prior to reaching a quarter mile, as Gdp Inc’s One Quarter takes over the top spot, and opens up a length and a half advantage on the field. In the third lane, Mykonos, from Fractious is head in front of Bo York, who is on the rail. Running between these two is our eventual winner, Pulpit, from D J C Racing Stables. He starts cleanly and is content to hold his position for now. Creep City (Alydar Stables) and Di Terra (The Sidley Stud) run together, three and a half lengths out.

(½ Mile- :46.40)- One Quarter is out in front all by himself now as they complete the backstretch trip and begin moving into the turn. The longest shot on the board, at 13/1, has a lead of just over two lengths at this point. Running in second is Pulpit, who still seems to be having a smart trip, holding his position and waiting for his time to strike on the leader. Mykonos, who had been to his outside, lost over a length to Pulpit towards the end of the backstretch. Bo York was still on the rail and held his spot, too. Creep City started showing some more interest midway into the turn, while Di Terra was the trailer, but less then five lengths from the lead.

(Top of Stretch, 1.5F To Go)- Towards the exit of the turn, One Quarter was beginning to look vulnerable, and while everyone gained on him a little bit, the only one making a significant slice into that lead was Pulpit. J Lezcano positioned him to move to the outside of the leader, and was now just a length and a half back, so he was looking very good. Both Mykonos and Bo York were lacking stretch response, and while Creep City was gaining, it seemed questionable that he could have something for Pulpit if he got him. Di Terra trailed still, and was showing little.

(Finish- 1:21.65)- In the stretch, Pulpit gracefully completed the pass for the lead, and simply had to maintain that stride to get the victory, just like he should have done here. The margin is a little more then a length over One Quarter and Creep City, who dead heat for second, with the latter never able to pose a threat to Pulpit. Mykonos is fourth, ahead of Di Terra and Bo York.

About The Winner– Pulpit, trained by D J C Racing Stables and ridden to victory by J Lezcano, is a four year old colt by Mr Creepy, and is out of Late Night Call. He was bred in New York by D J C Racing Stables as a second quarter two year old, and they have been together throughout. Congratulations to the connections! The win is his fourth in 13 starts, and is his first stake win. His career earnings are now $190.430.

Track: Fast
Time: :23²  :46²  1:09³  1:21³

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 4 – 1 Paid 25.40, 4 – 3 Paid 6.40
$1 Trifecta: 4 – 1 – 3 Paid 53.70, 4 – 3 – 1 Paid 49.70

Scratched: None

Winner Picked by NS

— NS

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded