6/26/21

 12    CD      Foster (GII) [BC]

$600.000       4yo&Up     1 1/8m  Dirt          122lbs

The Foster (GII) always seems to be a great race and the 2021 rendition of the mile and an eighth classic was certainly no disappointment.  It took a photograph to get this one right and when the stewards looked close… real close… John Henry’s Charleys Latte nosed out Gdp Inc’s Crack Dab by the slimmest of margins, taking the lions share of the $600.000 purse.  The final running time was a snappy 1:47², on the fast CD main track.  It was a half length back to Gran Z in third, with Tactical a length back in fourth. 

With the scratch of Antonym, eleven went to post for this one and as they got away from the gate, Tactical showed good speed from the rail, Gran Z on the early gas and clearing the field from his outside start to grab an inside position, Relate, Machine Gun Tommy and Crack Dab in behind the early pace, a gap back to Broadway Bay, Warlocks Reign along the rail, Charleys Latte, Puppet Master from the outside, then a gap back to the early trailing duo of Heretowinthisfight and Tenrikyo.

The field made their way around the clubhouse turn and neared the backside with six furlongs to run, Tactical making every call a winning one in front by three-quarters of a length, Gran Z continuing to pressure the pace setter, then two lengths back to Relate from the rail, Crack Dab on his flank, Machine Gun Tommy three wide and Puppet Master still widest of all.  Another length back to Broadway Bay skimming the paint, Charleys Latte next to him, then a gap back to Heretowinthisfight, Warlocks Reign towards his inside and Tenrikyo could see them all.

Down the backside and to the far turn with five sixteenths of a mile to run, Gran Z up to take the lead, Tactical still on the inside of that one, Crack Dab inching up from between horses, Relate on the rail, a length to Puppet Master still wide, Machine Gun Tommy just to his inside, Charleys Latte, Broadway Bay still saving ground, Heretowinthisfight was next, then Warlocks Reign and Tenrikyo continued to trail.

They made their way around the far turn and to the top of the lane and flew past the three sixteenths pole, Gran Z had skipped away to lead by two, Tactical not going away from the rail, Crack Dab now moving forward down the middle of the track, Relate right in the thick of things, Charleys Latte now beginning to move forward, Machine Gun Tommy and Puppet Master trying to close from the far outside as the rest were just trying to get this over with.

Moving past the furlong marker and into the finishing stages… Gran Z with the lead, Crack Dab inching forward with every stride and Charleys Latte absolutely flying home late… inside the final 75 yards Crack Dab now with the lead, Charleys Latte flying up the rail and as they hit the wire, it was just too close to call as the PHOTO sign went up on the infield tote-board.  After viewing the photograph, the stewards posted Charleys Latte the winner with Crack Dab in second by the slightest of margins.  Gran Z was a close up third and Tactical was fourth.  Machine Gun Tommy was fifth, Relate sixth, Tenrikyo seventh, Puppet Master eighth, Broadway Bay ninth, Heretowinthisfight tenth and Warlocks Reign closed this one out. 

Charleys Latte is a 4yo bay colt by Pinnacle West – Sweet Mama by Chai Latte, and he was bred by Two Hearts One Love in Cal.  Acquired by John Henry just two starts back (both winning efforts) via private purchase for $600.000, this was his sixth win from sixteen starts and he now has earnings of $5,063.000.  

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Fast        Time: :47²  1:10⁴  1:35   1:47²
$1 Exacta: 7 – 5 Paid 88.20         $1 Trifecta: 7 – 5 – 10 Paid 1,439.00
Scratched: Antonym
 

Charleys Latte reserved off of the pace, began to move forward through the far turn, continued to gain through the lane and nailed the win in the last stride.  Crack Dab was forwardly placed, took the lead at the sixteenth pole, caught in the final stride in a game effort. Gran Z forced the pace to the far turn, took the lead into the turn, was headed at the top of the lane but continued on well.  Tactical broke alertly, set the pace from the rail to the far turn, headed, could not go on.  Machine Gun Tommy gave an even effort. Relate was forwardly placed to the lane, tired. Tenrikyo trailed, passed tiring rivals.  Puppet Master had a wide trip, costing a better finish.  Broadway Bay was no threat. Heretowinthisfight was not a factor. Warlocks Reign was outrun.       

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES