The Whitney – Grade I [BC]
1 1/8 Mile Dirt Stake Purse $1,200.000 Open 3 Year Olds And Up.
The biggest surprise at SAR was the muddy track as all the surrounding areas were bathed in warm sunshine. As it turned out it was the final piece in the puzzle to stop the three year old taking on the older horses and as it turned out it we were all treated to exactly the race most people wanted to see.
1st Atomic Twister, trained by Blushing Meadows
When the rains came i started to worry that we would see a 100/1 shot winning by ten lengths but as it transpired we were treated with one probable exception to exactly the race we all wanted. Stalking the early lead this fantastic racehorse moved clear off the turn and won in a canter by a length in the end. Hard held as it crossed the line it made me wonder how this horse has ever been beaten and yet with just five wins from twenty-one he has been beaten a good few times. So it’s onto the BC for the champion and it would be a brave man who bets against him come November.
2nd Edwin Drood, trained by Sanny Village
Despite having beaten Atomic Twister in the CT Classic in his first start for 4 months from a horrible draw he couldnt confirm that form today. Put on the speed by the outside speed push that day he was taken back to his more customary position today sitting off the pace for the first part of the race. He got into second with a furlong to run and took two lengths off the winner in the final furlong but never looked like he was going to get any closer. This was a super effort and it sets up the rest of teh season and the BC perfectly where we will hopefully see another titanic battle.
3rd Port On The Horizon, trained by D J C Racing Stables
Took an early lead from the gate and ran the race of his life to be third in the end. This horse has bravery by the bucketload and added yet another great race to his wonderful record. He is closing in on $4000 in career earnings and has managed all that without a win since January 2016!
4th Its My Party, trained by Yahudi Stables
The winner of a claimer in April and bought for just $76 at the auction he ran a cracker to be fourth. A testament to his unsung trainer’s spotting and understanding of a horse he looks to be a rising star in the routing division.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
