SSM Classic- $200.000 Purse
GP- For Four Year Olds and Upward Foaled in FL
One Mile and One Eighth on the Dirt
January 19, 2019

It had been a little while since Champion In Action had lived up to his name. The last time he wound up in the winners circle was in May of last year in the Sir Barton. Other then that, his other two wins were his maiden win, and a smaller FL allowance. He had run in many big name stakes, which even include the BEL, but the results have not always been there. He’ll have his good moments, and this will be one of them. What Champion In Action really needs to do now is build off of this. Two of his other wins saw an eighth place run in the following race. He’s a winner now, so congrats to him, and to winning trainer Night Rider Stables. This is a race that Night Rider really wanted, so in that respect, I am happy to see him get the win. It’s his second SSM Classic win as a virtual trainer, having also won in 2017 with Rajivs Roadblock. L Saez got the job done in the saddle for the first time in his career for this stake. The time of the win was 1:48.08, the fastest of the four editions of the race where the purse levels really died off and didn’t draw the elite of the game any more. Let’s take a look at it!

(½ Mile- :47.52)- The race begins with Seminole going out to the front for On The Map Racing. Broken Tap, looking to pick up yet another FL-bred stake win for trainer Barcelona Farms is in second, and a length behind. Oklahoma is in line right behind them in third. Trailing, we would see the two runners from Night Rider Stables, as both the eventual winner, Champion In Action, and Horseymachorseface were content to be at the rear of the field. However, Champion In Action was only three and a half lengths from the lead.

(3/4 Mile- 1:11.14)- Seminole gracefully handles the backstretch without any pressure being applied to him. As he moves into the turn, he extends his lead by another half length, to be approximately two once they reach the six furlong marker. Broken Tap had lost ground, and fell into the clutches of Oklahoma. Champion In Action was still fourth, but in the position to potentially split Broken Tap and Oklahoma in the turn if he was interested. Horseymachorseface was content to watch the action.

(Top Of Stretch, 1.5 To Go)- Rounding the turn, Seminole continued to show the way, but his lead was shrinking. Oklahoma and Broken Tap actually had a good battle between them for second, and this actually kept Champion In Action from becoming more of a factor right now. Oklahoma would outpace Broken Tap towards the exit of the turn, and set his sights on the lead. Champion In Action now moved forward, and was along side Broken Tap at the top of stretch with under two lengths to make up. Horseymachorseface had no response.

(Finish- 1:48.08)- In the stretch, Seminole had nothing for either Oklahoma or Champion In Action. Oklahoma had made, at the time, a sharp looking pass for the lead, but Champion In Action was in an all outdrive himself, and able to pull up right along side him towards the end of the stretch. They had a good battle for a little bit, but closer to the wire, Champion In Action was a little too much for Oklahoma and gets the win. Seminole nearly got passed by Broken Tap, but held on to third. Horseymachorseface was outclassed.

About The Winner- Champion In Action, trained by Night Rider Stables, and ridden to victory by L Saez, is a four year old gelding by Natural Drummer, and is out of Angies Taco Truck. He was bred in Florida as a yearling by Night Rider Stables, and they have been together throughout. Congratulations to the connections! The win is his fourth in 17 races, and his second stake win. His career earnings are now $422.000.

Track: Fast
Time: :47²  1:11   1:35³  1:48

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 1 – 3 Paid 15.30
$1 Trifecta: 1 – 3 – 5 Paid 10.80

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded