The Acorn – Grade I
1 Mile Dirt Stake Purse $700.000 Filly 3 Year Olds.

1st   Coldpack  John Henry  Saez L

It would be unfair to call this a complete shock winner but with all the top three year old form in this race you couldn’t exactly call it obvious. I mentioned her nice effort in the Eight Belles last time but not many saw this sort of win coming at this level but many congratulations to her trainer in sticking with her. Running in the stalk which was worth ten lengths on todays track she was very game down the stretch holding on by a quarter length in by far her best lifetime effort. Atleast this win shows that any horse can win a grade one because despite a 1.38 and 1 work 9 days ago and very average form she has become a grade one winner .

2nd   Manifest                Smokey Stover  Ortiz J L

Stayed on stoutly for second beating all those that beat her in the KYO but not having quite enough to overcome the tough winner.

3rd   Lake Wendigo  Night Rider Stables  Maragh R

This was the dark horse in the race for me having a great record at Statebred level and running a lifetime best in this race. Never far off she kept on gamely for a share of third and looks a real bargain buy for her trainer.

3rd   Flying Squirrel  Angelos Stable  Garcia Alan

Topping off a somewhat surprising finishing order was the fourth lottery ball who made full use of the wide gate push to play to the track bias perfectly. Going to a clear lead she never gave up and got a share of third in a very tough run.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES