It is first season of being shortened up to a Mile and a sixteenth, Maxmillion Farm’s Chais Princess would be the only filly to go sub 1:45 at the wire in this years Lake Placid.

• The Lake Placid- Grade II Purse $200.000
• Saratoga Race Course – For Fillies Three Years old
• One Mile and a sixteenth – Inner Turf course

On a weekend that seemed full of late closing efforts being the style of the day, so too did Chais Princess keep that running style present as she would be some ten lengths back against a modest four furlong time of 48 and three fifths set by 2-1 post time favorite Rules Are Madness ( Angelos Stables). Like many who had to break from an extreme outside post in their events, getting quickly to the rail was the order of the day for Rules Are Madness.

As this group broke from the gate, Rules Are Madness was quickly scurried to the front entering the clubhouse turn, followed by Chili King Stables Brutal Heat ( 11-1) at the rail and Poetic Princess ( Allinthegate) (8-1) to that ones outside. Further out in fourth was the five, Smart Watch ( EasyMoney Stables ( 5-1).

Continuing on to the midway point down the backstretch and the number ten had extended his efforts to some four and a half lengths in the lead. Poetic Princess found herself trying to sort out her riding style, and she managed to break free of her other stalking trio towards the leader. Smart Watch was progressing nicely sliding ahead of Brutal Heat.Warmed Up was three back of this dueling pair in fifth. Chais Princess was the trailer at this point of the race.

As the horses made the turn for home with a furlong and a half to run, Rules Are Madness was tiring and fading as Poetic Princess now had the lead. Smart Watch was now poised in second trying to make up ground to her outside, with Brutal Heat scooting along the opening at the rail. Some six wide off the turn and now Chais Princess was full of run, just four back from the leader. By the time she hit the eighth pole, she was within a length.

Passing Poetic Princess just inside that eighth pole, Chais Princess was up by two, then up by four lengths, and finally winning the event by better then five lengths in a final time of 1:44.09, and returning some $71.10 for the win to her backers. The victory is her second Graded company win since she took home the Gr. I SA Oaks in April, and she was a 40-1 longshot in that affair. Both her victories have come at a mile and a sixteenth. The late change to Wilson definitely was an added bonus to how well she performed today. ” She ran huge….just tried to get out of her way….. Max said following his visit to the winners enclosure…sometimes the trainers are a detriment….lol”

Looking like she had the makings of a winner off the turn for home, Poetic Princess would find herself as a Maid Of Honor on the day. Give her major credit for her efforts as this was her first time in Graded company, and she ran a brilliant race given the added weight as well.

A head to head battle for third between Smart Watch and another late charger called Di Magni ( Gdp Inc.) would be decided by a photo, with Smart Watch hanging on by a nose. Fifth would go to Brutal Heat who was active throughout this affair, with Warmed Up ( Mb Stables ) who made the switch here late placing sixth.

Rounding out the event were 46 And 2 ( John Henry), Limited Risk ( Fractious ), early front runner Rules Are Madness and finally Lit Up By The French ( Mb Stables ).

Track: Soft 
Time: :24¹  :48³  1:13³  1:44

$2 Mutuel Prices: 

$1 Exacta: 9 – 3 Paid 790.00 
$1 Trifecta: 9 – 3 – 5 Paid 852.50 

Scratched: Low Key Desires(L) 

Duffer

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES