8/22/21

   4   WO     Highlander (GI)

$350.000    3yo&Up     6f Turf       3yo 119 lbs     Older 123 lbs

We knew the Highlander (GI) would be about speed, but a late closing kick was actually the ticket to the win.  Cold Weather Rider, owned by Night Rider Stables, came from worst to be first, as the post time favorite took the six furlong sprint stake in a snappy 1:07.82, and was three-quarters of a length best on the wire.  Elijah G pressed the pace throughout and took the second spot, a quarter length better than Cobra Man, who also closed from far back.  Bajan Mask set the pace and got a bit weary late, but took the minor money in this big-purse turf sprint… we even had a three-horse dead-heat for fifth – so, some races are uglier than others.   

The field of seven got away from the gate with Bajan Mask on the early gas, Cassandra G,   Elijah G from the rail, Charleys Glance between that pair, then a gap to Cartomancist along the rail, Cobra Man between horses and Cold Weather Rider was the early trailer.

They made the short run to the dog-leg and now mid-way on that turn, three and a half furlongs to run and Bajan Mask showing the way by two and a half lengths.  Cassandra G on the outside of Elijah G, then a length back to Charleys Glance, Cartomancist on the inside of that one, another length to Cold Weather Rider and Cobra Man towards his inside.

Now into the lane, but there were still two furlongs to run and in this long stretch, anything can happen… Bajan Mask still in front by a length and a half, a line of horses behind him with Elijah G on the rail, Cassandra G and Charleys Glance down the center of the track, Cold Weather Rider from the far outside, and Cartomancist towards the inside, then a gap to the trailer, Cobra Man.

Deep stretch and to the finish, as they moved inside the final sixteenth, Bajan Mask was now feeling Cold Weather Rider from the outside, Elijah G from the inside and a four way battle behind them, but now to the final 150 yards, Cold Weather Rider had too much in the tank and pulled away late for the victory.  Elijah G continued on well for the place, Cobra Man with a late effort to grab the third spot, with Bajan Mask tiring to be fourth.  Cartomancist, Charley Glance and Cassandra G all ended on even terms in a 3-horse dead-heat for fifth.    

Cold Weather Rider is a seven year old gelded son of Arian – Corona Special, by Kinzys Spirit, and he was bred in Cal by Team 7 Illusions.  He was claimed by the current connections for just $28.000, back in Aug of 2018 and the multiple stakes winner has thrived under the current trainer.  He now has fifteen wins from forty-eight starts, three of those coming this year, and he now has lifetime earnings of $1,273.870.  Congrats to the the owner!

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Firm      Time: :22²  :45   :56²  1:07⁴
$1 Exacta: 6 – 2 Paid 13.00             $1 Trifecta: 6 – 2 – 3 Paid 57.90
Scratched: None

Cold Weather Rider rated off of the pace, started to move up on the turn, swung widest for the drive, engaged the leader at the sixteenth pole, kicked clear late.  Elijah G tracked the pace, short lead in the lane, could not hold off the winner.  Cobra Man lagged back, belated rally, best foot too late.  Bajan Mask sent from the gate, led to sixteenth, headed, tired.  Cartomancist inside trip, flattened late.  Charleys Glance second flight, nothing left for the drive.  Cassandra G pressed the pace, tired. 

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES