The Cigar Mile Handicap – Grade I
1 Mile Dirt Stake Purse $750.000 Open 3 Year Olds And Up.

1st       Boardwalk      Nakamura Stables         Court J K

Both of the BC winners finished well out of the money here but that isn’t unusual, not only in handicaps but in general with the form in these types of races. One stable that is a master at pulling off wins like this is Nakamura Stable and as soon as this one worked a 1.36 and 1 you had a feeling that this was going to be another one of those Nak Specials.This improving four year old hasn’t really run a bad race but has flown under the radar for the most part with the timing perfect for this big purse. Getting the perfect trip from the draw he was always going well and pulled away for a fairly comprehensive one length win. Bred by Two Hearts One Love he has now won 7 of is 21 races and looks like he could make a decent five year old.

2nd       Stolen         D J C Racing Stables        Bahen S R

This stable has had better years but a few decent runs recently will give them hope for 2022. Another that got a perfect run from a perfect draw he definitely is a better horse on the dirt and his attempts on grass this year have made his form look a bit ordinary at times. He is another that looks like he will make a decent five year old and i am pretty sure there will be some black type in his future.

3rd       Dutty John Crow        Night Rider Stables        Saez L

Whilst the stable will be disappointed by their BC winner in this race they should be thrilled with this effort. Going to the front just like he did when third in the BC Mile last time he had to work that little bit harder in this race and ended up a little leg weary at the end. Still third in a handicap giving weight to older horses and beating tow BC winners is a great achievement and shouldn’t be over looked.

4th        When Your Strange       Maxmillion Farm       Moran D

Stalked the leader but was vulnerable to those who took the sit and that’s how it played out in the end. Not a bad run by the bottom weight though and as a former claimer he can at least say that he beat two BC winners.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES