The Vosburgh (Grade 1) (BC)- $350.000 Purse
BEL- For Three Year Olds and Upward
Six Furlongs on the Dirt
September 30, 2017

What an adventurous two weeks it is has been for Bay Of Plenty! Two weeks ago, up at WO, he put forth a fantastic effort in a second place performance at the Grade 3 Bold Venture, but it was not good enough for prior trainer Golden Stables. It seemed like the former trainer may have been too hard on his young colt, and he was quick to sell him off. Veteran trainer Team 7 Illusions knows a star when he sees one, and picked him up later that same day in private sales for $90.770. His entry into the Vosburgh meant that he would only have two weeks to rest, but as was touched upon in the preview, he has done this several times, and actually seems to like it. Some of Bay Of Plenty’s best races have come with not as much of a gap between starts, which was a big reason why we made him our pick to win. Team 7 Illusions will have to hope that a month is not too long for the BC Sprint. Bay Of Plenty was spectacular here at BEL today, as he picks up the big win. He gives his new trainer his first ever win in The Vosburgh, and J Bisono made his trip to BEL well worth it with his first win in the stake as well. Congratulations to them! The time of the victory was 1:08.65, the fastest running of the race since 2011. Let’s take a look at it!

(1/4 Mile- :22.48)- Early on in the race, its Spring Lover getting the early jump for Mb Stables. Jolly Be Native (John Henry) looked like he might run with him early right to his inside, but would back off a little as they moved into the turn. Also quick out of the gate towards the inside was Commanding Brit, from Lemax Farms, and he would end up in the second position, just a half length or so off the lead. Our eventual winner Bay Of Plenty, from Team 7 Illusions, was not getting left behind either, and thanks to a steady start himself, he would be third and length out of the lead. These guys were the quick group early. From there, you have to go back a couple lengths to see a three wide battle for 5th between Seven Swirls (D J C Racing Stables), Served Up (Mb Stables), and Acquisitive (Mb Stables). Planning on doing their best work from the back, were Jesse The Bandit (Scarletandgraystable) and Red Matic (Witeout Stables).

(½ Mile- :45.13, Top of Stretch- 1.5F To Go)- There was not a lot of action while rounding the turn. The biggest excitement started to be as they approached the exit of the turn as Commanding Brit rode the rail well, and would emerge with the lead at the top of the stretch. He had company to his outside as he did this, in the form of Bay Of Plenty, and Spring Lover was starting to look like he would not be able to hold these two off. In the stretch then, both Bay Of Plenty and Commanding Brit seemed destined to have a battle to the wire if they could each maintain their stride. Jolly Be Native was beginning to drop out as well, but Served Up was looking like he was going to have something to say in the stretch as he made up some ground. He seemed to following Bay Of Plenty, but there would be enough room to split those two at this time. Acquisitive and Seven Swirls were staying level with the field, at best. Red Matic had a lot of ground to make up, but had visions of a 5-6 wide move for the stretch. Jesse The Bandit was looking for room in the middle of the pack.

(Finish- 1:08.65)- With a furlong to do, Bay Of Plenty dug in, moved down a lane, and put Commanding Brit and everyone else away. This finding another gear in the stretch was impressive, given the distance that he put between him and the two other front runners. Served Up was happy that Bay Of Plenty made the move down, allowing him to move up to second a lot easier, but he never really threatened for a win. Spring Lover, to his credit, had a lot more fight in the stretch that it looked like he was going to, and until very late, it looked like he might be second. Third, however, goes to Red Matic in a close four-way photo, as he came from way outside. It was a valiant close, and it’s good to see him get up in this photo given the extra race track he had to cover. Acquisitive also moved along well from the outside to join in this photo. Once settled its Commanding Brit, then Acquisitive and Spring Lover after Red Matic. Jesse The Bandit, Seven Swirls, and Jolly Be Native round out the field.

About The Winner: Bay Of Plenty, trained by Team 7 Illusions, and ridden by J Bisono, is a three year old colt by Quench and out of Bayjed. He was bred in the great and underutilized breeding state of Pennsylvania by Australia Wide as a third quarter two year old, and was acquired by Team 7 Illusions just two weeks ago in private sales from Golden Stables, for $90.770. Congratulations to the connections! The win is his sixth in 12 career starts, and it is his first graded stake win. His career earnings now sit at $491.780.

Track: Fast
Time: :22²  :45   :56⁴  1:08³

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 6 – 4 Paid 153.60
$1 Trifecta: 6 – 4 – 10 Paid 1,471.30

Scratched: Greek Consul(L)

Winner picked by NS

— NS

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES