Eight Belles (Grade 2)- $500.000 Purse
CD- For Fillies Three Years Old
Seven Furlongs on the Dirt
May 6, 2022

It wasn’t the KYO for Lassitude, a filly who finished in the middle of the field in multiple preps for the bigger race run here on Friday, but she would not let that ruin her day. Lassitude still made it to CD on this day, running in the Eight Belles instead, meaning that she was going to cut back on her distance to seven furlongs but that would not be too far off from what she had been running. This would be just her second career win, with the previous victory also coming at CD in the month of May. So, while she did not run in the Oaks, trainer TwinTowersRacing will certainly be happy with how it ended up for her, collecting $300.000 for the race victory. It is his second win in the race, and you have to go all the way back to 2013 for the other when he won with the late Dare To Be Great. Jockey J R Velazquez was aboard then just like he was for this one, and overall it is his third such victory. Congratulations to them! The time of the win was 1:22.18, the fourth quickest in the history of the race. Let’s take a look!

(1/4 Mile- :22.77)- Setting the early fractions would be Spankys Barn’s Kalthoff Repeater, and the filly would open up an uncontested lead of about two lengths. There would be three stalkers running behind her, and our eventual winner, Lassitude, was part of this group for TwinTowersRacing. For now, she would be running in the fourth position as she is able to ride the rail. Immediately to her outside, Moment To Dream, from Alydar Stables, would be holding the second position, and running on the outside here would be Greta, from Royalty Stables. Pirate Code is tucked in right behind these three for Big Guns Stables, and she had an open lane if she wanted to join them to make it four wide. Catori (D J C Racing Stables) is next, then Cherokee Ripper (John Henry) and the post-time favorite, Thor (Winning Link Stables). Spearmint Rhino (Arindel) could see them all in front of her.

(½ Mile- :45.88)- Not a lot has changed over the next quarter mile, but the little bit that was subtle but meaningful. First, it is still Kalthoff Repeater in front, but the new second place horse would be Lassitude. She would really benefit from being able to ride the rail at the end of the backstretch and moving into the turn. This allowed her to pass both Moment To Dream and Greta, and while they were still running close to her, things were looking promising for Lassitude. Further back, not much else going on other than for Spearmint Rhino starting to show a lot more interest and also looking to use for the rail. For the moment, those who picked her had to be liking her advance.

(Top Of Stretch, 1.7F To Go)- In front, Kalthoff Repeater has her sights set on going wire to wire, and she still seems to be in pretty good stride. But she can hear the hoofsteps of Lassitude behind her now. Exiting the turn, Lassitude further put away both Moment To Dream and Greta, and was clear by at least a length of them. She had to make up about the same distance now on Kalthoff Repeater, and it was looking quite promising for her at this point. Moment To Dream and Greta were not able to get involved any further and were looking vulnerable to those who would make late bids. Catori looked like a possibility, and she would squeeze Spearmint Rhino on the rail pretty good and perhaps hampering that one from progressing any further. Thor was at the back, and for now, had not really done a whole lot.

(Finish- 1:22.18)- Approaching the wire, Lassitude continued to gain on Kalthoff Repeater, and with half a furlong to go, she was right beside her. The pace setter was going to have no answer for her, so the only concern for TwinTowersRacing at this point would be if anyone new was emerging from behind. They were about six wide across the track a length and a half behind her, so nothing to really worry about there. Further back, Thor was looking for her lane, first wondering if it was going to be outside, and then to the inside, but when they are six wide in front of you, it can be tough. She would eventually get on a roll, but it would be too late. This race had now belonged to Lassitude, and the horse that had been running in the KYO preps would win while pulling away, finally getting her second career win. Kalthoff Repeater hangs on for second, and the charge of Thor will get Winning Link Stables a third place check. Catori is fourth, edging out Greta, Cherokee Ripper, and Pirate Code. Moment To Dream and Spearmint Rhino are the final finishers.

About The Winner- Lassitude, trained by TwinTowersRacing, and ridden to victory by J R Velazquez, is a three year old filly by Platoon, and is out of Operation Nebraska. She was bred by her current trainer as a first quarter two year old in New York. Congratulations to the connections! The win is her second in 11 starts, and her first stake win. Her career earnings are now $554.600.

Track: Fast
Time: :22³  :45⁴  1:09³  1:22

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 1 – 7 Paid 159.70
$1 Trifecta: 1 – 7 – 6 Paid 302.30

Scratched: Keno Queen(L)

— NS

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES