The Seeking The Ante ($200.000 Purse)
SAR- For Fillies Two Year Old Foaled in New York
Six and a Half Furlongs on the Dirt
August 26, 2016

A field of seven got together for the third edition of the Seeking The Ante at Saratoga on Friday, and it’s always fun to see how these early season two year old stake races will turn out.  For the last two years, the Seeking The Ante winner also won the similar Lynbrook at BEL the month prior.  That short streak is snapped this year, as Cobra Kai, making her stake debut, scored the win.  This is a filly that excites me, as I believe she is only going to get better as the distances increase.  So her ability to win at a sprinting distance today is very promising for what she might be able to do.  It’s a little too early to talk about the KYO chase, but trainer Aer Stables has to be excited about the potential this one has.  The shorter term goal, of course, is the BC Juvenile Fillies, though she may not have much time left.  For now, we’ll savor her win here, and congratulate Aer Stables for his first win in the stake, and the same holds true for winning jockey R Santana Jr.  The time of the win was 1:15.80, which would have put her in a dead heat with last year’s winner, as the times are identical.  Here is how it all unfolded.

1st- 5- Cobra Kai (8/1)- Our eventual race winner from Aer Stables was not concerned with the early pace, and if it were not for Toe Out, she would have been at the rear of the field early on. She would hold her position in sixth place, keeping herself within four lengths as they reached the top of the turn.   R Santana Jr did well to stick her in a lane for the turn between Finish The Fight and Retrospective, which prevented her from being hindered by either of them later on.  Exploded with run on exit of the turn to make up some more ground, and it did not take long to get by the others in this field before bearing down on Snappy Ruler.  With a furlong to go, she had over a length still to make up, but actually made the pass look very easy to get the win!  Congratulations!  The time of the win equals last years winning time of 1:15.80.  Cobra Kai is a two year old filly by 2015 KYD winner King Cobra, and becomes the first stake winner that he has sired.   He is out of Rapid Kruz, who herself has strong bloodlines.  She was bred in New York by Aer Stables as a first quarter two year old, and is the only trainer for which she has ever known.  Congratulations to the connections!

2nd- 1- Snappy Ruler (5/1)- Started strongly along the rail for D J C Racing Stables, and would assume the lead after the opening furlong, and ultimate set the opening quarter in a time of :23.26.  At the top of the turn, she had Laffin Lady Z alongside her, and everyone else cleared by at least two lengths.  Gracefully rounded the turn, going a half in :46.17, and continuing to lead as they moved into the top of the stretch.  Looked good with a furlong to go, and still had over a length on Cobra Kai at this time, but could not hold off her challenge.

3rd- 6- Finish The Fight (5/2)- Quickest of them all out of the gate for her trainer, Sccj Stables. Once passed for the lead by Snappy Ruler, J Rosario dropped her back a couple spots, and two lengths from the lead, heading into the turn.  Remained in this position within the pack all around the turn, and into the stretch.  Unable to be resurgent on the leaders, but ran well enough to hang on to the third spot.

4th- 4- Toe Out (11/1)- Struggled out of the gate for Team 7 Illusions, and found herself 2-3 lengths behind the next closest horse as they moved down the backstretch.  Did not look to advance as they moved into the turn, and was still six lengths or so out of it.  Made a late advance in the final furlong, but not sure if that was more a product of others tiring.

5th- 3- Laffin Lady Z (24/1)- Stalked the frontrunning Snappy Ruler out of the gate before looking to pull even with her after two furlongs.   Snappy Ruler remained strong, so Laffin Lady Z would become content with shadowing her a length behind in the turn.  Continued to run well around the turn, and even in the stretch.  With about a furlong to go, the bottom fell out.

6th- 7- Snappy Return (6/5)- The favorite as well as our choice from Mb Stables started well from her outside position, and would wind up in third place as a couple others backed up.  In the turn, she was four wide, but just two lengths from the lead.  Everything seemed like it could work out for her until the field hit the top of the stretch.  Snappy Return simply came up very empty.

7th- 2- Retrospective (21/1)-    The Canadian Racing filly got off to an average looking start, but would opt not to press the leaders early.  Rounding the turn, she was fifth and about three lengths from the lead.     Seemed to be looking to advance briefly but quickly fizzled out at the top of the stretch.

Track: Fast
Time: :23¹  :46   1:09³  1:15⁴

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 5 – 1 Paid 45.90
$1 Trifecta: 5 – 1 – 6 Paid 212.30

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded