The 19th Running of The Acorn-G1
Saturday, June 11, 2022
BEL Race #7 $500.000 1-Mile Dirt
3YO Fillies 122 Lbs
Track Record-1:33.34 (Alpha Ultimo-2005)
Stakes Record-1:34.90 (Odd Trek-2020)
Saturday’s edition of the $500.000 G1 Acorn saw one of the more impressive move’s of the day as the D J C Racing Stables-trained Catori unleashed a powerful move inside the final furlong to surge past Main Flirt and Derby Connection to secure a clear half-length victory. Breaking from gate six in the nine-horse field, Catori fell into the garden spot soon after the gates sprung as four horses went for the early lead and she was able to secure inside position in the second flight. K. Carmouche sat chilly on his mount until getting uncovered with less than a furlong to go and simply mowed them down to complete the one-turn mile in 1:35.41. The G1 Acorn was the first graded score for Catori and her share of the purse improved her bankroll to $433.200 with three wins from seven starts.
Catori broke well enough to be inside of the second flight as it was a mad dash up front with four horses going for the lead. She was relaxing beautifully just off of the rail, about three and a half lengths off of the :23.41 opening quarter posted by Curlina. The Local Hero (o/o Cherokee Lake) filly was able to move a bit closer to the rail as they approached the turn, but was covered-up pretty well as Curlina passed the half mile marker in :46.84.
Unable to maneuver due to Thor being on her outside, the rail on her inside, and the duo of Lassitude and Shadow Police in front of her, Catori was forced to sit and hope for a seam to open up. Entering the stretch, Derby Connection moved for the lead and passed the quarter pole in 1:10.68 as Catori desperately looked for room as she moved out to the two path. Catori lost several lengths on Derby Connection as the former was stymied until she reached the furlong pole when Shadow Police drifted out just enough for Catori to see daylight. Bursting through the seam, Catori powerfully went by six rivals and etched her name into the history books as a G1 winner. Main Flirt, while unable to match the winner’s stride, was able to get up in time to nab the place honors from Derby Connection. Spearmint Rhino, finding her best stride a tad too late, rallied into fourth and was followed through the wire by Shadow Police, Lassitude, Thor, Curlina, and Paris Broadway.
D J C Racing Stables is now the solo leader on the G1 Acorn leaderboard as Catori becomes his third winner of this event. Congratulations to both horse and trainer on their victory in The Acorn-G1!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
