10/9/21

   9   KEE      Breeders Futurity (GI)  [BC]  [KYD]

$500.000      2yo     1 1/16m  Dirt       122 lbs

Alydar Stables’ Chai West looked to be outrun yet again when they turned for home in Saturday’s Breeders Futurity (GI) here at KEE… nope, wasn’t going to happen.  The chestnut colt turned heads, showing a tremendous late burst and got home by a quarter length, setting a new stakes record in the process while stamping his ticket for both the BC Day and next years KYD.  The final running time was 1:41⁴ for the mile and a sixteenth and you have to believe putting lasix back on this one may have helped.  Suikoden II ran another huge race to be second, a length better than stable-mate Gigabyte.  It was another three-quarters of a length back to a cavalry charge for the fourth position, with Double Sided taking the photo for the minor share. 

The gate was full for this all important stakes, here in Lexington, and as the gates sprung open Circinus Galaxy and Everymanforhimself out quickly,  Check Point between Suikoden II from the rail and Come With Assets on the outside of that trio, then the foursome of Worthington Springs, Chai West on the rail, Dwindle on the outside of that group and Disciplinary just to his inside, then a gap to Double Side, Ocean Of Wisdom and Gigabyte was the early trailer.

Moving around the clubhouse turn and onto the backside, Everymanforhimself moved up to take a three-quarters of a length advantage on Circinus Galaxy.  A gap of three to Suikoden II on the rail, Check Point to his outside, even wider to Come With Assets and Dwindle, back down to the rail for Worthington Springs and Chai West, Disciplinary on the outside of that duo, then another length to Ocean Of Wisdom on the outside of Gigabyte, and Double Sided was now the back marker.

Down the backside and now nearing the far turn with three-eighths of a mile to run,  Everymanforhimself had skipped off to lead by two.  Circinus Galaxy still tracking the leader, Dwindle now a clear third, then a length to Suikoden II maintaining his inside run, Check Point still on his flank, wider to Come With Assets, another length to Chai West now moving off of the rail, Worthington Springs on his flank, Ocean Of Wisdom caught wide, Disciplinary just to his inside, Gigabyte continuing to save ground and Double Sided could still see them all.

Around the turn and into the lane, they moved past the three-sixteenths pole and this was becoming a one horse race… Everymanforhimself was a horse by himself, in front by three.  Suikoden II up the rail and digging in, Circinus Galaxy losing ground, then a wall of horseflesh behind that duo that included Chair West fanning out looking for room, Check Point on his inside, Come With Assets widest of all, Dwindle, Worthington Springs and Gigabyte towards the inside.  Back towards the outside for Disciplinary, Double Sided and Ocean Of Wisdom. 

Now nearing the sixteen pole and the tide was turning, fast…  Everymanforhimself was out of gas and looking for the wire as Chai West was flying down the center of the track, Suikoden II cut the corner and made it three across the track… just about all the remaining horses in the field were within a length or so… the fight to the wire was on!

Deep stretch and to the finish, this was a two horse battle for the win, Chai West with the advantage, Suikoden II not going away without a fight… but as they hit the wire, Chai West just had that little extra something and took the win by a quarter length.  Suikoden II fought to the finish but was second by a length over the late closing Gigabyte in third.  It was another three-quarters of a length back to a blur of silks and horses with Double Sided taking the fourth spot by the slimmest of margins from the tiring Everymanforhimself in fifth.  A head back to Circinus Galaxy in sixth, who nosed out Check Point in seventh, another nose to Come With Assets in eight and the same to Worthington Springs in ninth – a six horse photo decided by .09 seconds.  Disciplinary was tenth, Dwindle eleventh and Ocean Of Wisdom closed this one out.   

Chai West is a 2yo chestnut entire by Key West – Pacific Chai, by Proud Chai, and he was bred in Fla by his owner, Alydar Stables.  This was his second win from five starts, his first graded win and could it have come on a more dramatic stage?  He now shows lifetime earnings of $400.200.  He’s a horse that you will see in big races, so keep him in your notebook!!  Congrat’s to the connections!!

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Fast            Time: :23³  :47   1:10³  1:41⁴
$1 Exacta: 1 – 4 Paid 138.60            $1 Trifecta: 1 – 4 – 2 Paid 1,654.90
Scratched: For Your Pleasure, Sunshine Scooter

Chai West saved ground while unhurried to the far turn, moved to 3p entering the turn while moving forward in a burst, 5p for the run down the lane, hooked foe, won driving.  Suikoden II ground saving trip while just behind the pace, looked for racing room at the half-mile pole, back to the rail, found seam, battled last eighth, second best.  Gigabyte off a step slow, outrun to mid-way on the far turn, moved forward inside, could not go on with top pair, best of rest.  Double Sided trailed to the furlong marker, best foot too late.  Everymanforhimself broke alertly, set the pace to the sixteenth pole, folded.  Circinus Galaxy forced the pace to the top of the lane, tired.  Check Point evenly.  Come With Assets wide trip, tired late.  Worthington Springs raced mid-pack throughout.  Disciplinary no factor.  Dwindle rated early, moved up quick mid-way down the backside, nothing left.  Ocean Of Wisdom wide trip, never involved. 

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES, THE BREEDERS CUP, THE TRIPLE CROWN