The 16th Running of the G2 King Edward BC Stakes

August 15, 2021 13:40

WO Race #2 $175.000 1-Mile Turf

3YO+ 119/123 Lbs (Plus Penalties)

Track Record-1:31.72 (Cleveland Browns-2012)

Stakes Record-1:32.00 (Trading Punches-2010)

Commander Wellesley had gotten close on numerous occasions.  At WO on Sunday, he finally put it all together in the $175.000 G2 Kind Edward BC Stakes.  Stopping the clock in 1:32.48 for the flat mile on the WO turf, Commander Wellesley claimed the first graded win of his career and the first of the season for his conditioner, Jive Inc.

Despite breaking last in the field of six, Commander Wellesley methodically moved closer to the front-running Big Aspirations throught the long WO backstretch.  Clicking-off fractions of :23.25, :46.27, and 1:09.09, Big Aspirations always appeared comfortable up top as the field reached the top of the lane.  At that point, the leader looked to have put away the stalking duo of Mojave Rattler and High Command; however, two runners were commencing their runs with Commander Wellesley coming up the rail and Phoe Eva taking the overland route.

At the 1/16 pole, the race was still in doubt as Big Aspirations was stubbornly refusing to yield to Commander Wellesley.  Phoe Eva was still making-up ground, but not at a rate that was going to trouble the top two.  Inside the final 50-yards, Commander Wellesley finally got the upper-hand on his rival and edged away to be a length clear at the wire.  Big Aspirations ran a bang-up race to hold the place while Phoe Eva ran on to grab the show.

With the win, Commander Wellesley (Donegal Commander o/o Lady Caroline) garnered six points and now holds down 4th on the BC Mile leaderboard with 18 total; he also improved his career ledger to 21-8-6-3 for earnings of $497.080.  Big Aspirations claimed four BC points for his runner-up finish and now sits in 21st position with eight total.  Phoe Eva, the only female in the race, took home two points for her third-place showing and now sits in 26th on the BC F&M Turf leaderboard with six points total. 

Congratulations to Commander Welleley and Jive Inc, the victors in the $175.000 King Edward BC Stakes!

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES