After just one win breaking her maiden in 2017, and one win last season in a restricted PA event against Alw39 company, TwinTowerRacings Relentless has won back to back Stakes titles in two of his three starts this season.

• The Tokyo Cup Grade III Purse $100.000
• Santa Anita Park For Four year old and Upwards
• Mile and a half over the Main Track
• Sunday April 14th, 2019

While as a writer I got totally ” spanked ” with my prerace comment of saying he was hard to place, Relentless ( TwinTowerRacings ) was going to prove to everyone just how talented he was, capturing the $100 Gr. III Tokyo City Cup. While he looks like he lacks the speed to be productive in the early goings, this one has all the kick late to surprise many runners. The senior talent of Smith adds to the greatness of his talents.

While the five year old mare On The Jersey Shore ( Spankys Barn ) was keen to quickly get to the frontend in the early going, the eventual winner would sit some nine and a half back as the group hit the line for the first time. The mare would be joined to her inside by Rod Steiger ( Asgar ) as she set a very reserved 50.09 for the opening mile.

Off the turn and heading down the backstretch, On The Jersey Shore had stretched her lead out to two lengths with a 24.62 fractional time for the next quarter. Rod Steiger was joined by Range Of The Sun ( Team 7 Illusions ) to his outside, while Red Zero ( Angelos Stable ) was another two back. A wall of three sat seven and a half back of the current leader, consisting of Mustapha Dance ( Court Jester Racing ) , Dream Controlled ( Mb Stables ) and Higher Limit ( Night Rider Stables ). Relentless was another length back of this trio, but starting to slide to the center of the track to be positioned for his late charge.

It would take till the far turn till Range Of The Sun would jump to the top, while Red Zero was making a bold move to the outside. Rod Steiger had slipped into fourth, while the rest of the field were now within five lengths of the leader.

To the top of the stretch and up to within a furlong left to run, and it was an all out party to the line. Red Zero had stuck a head out for the lead ahead of Range Of The Sun, with now Relentless closing huge to the outside. Dream Controlled was now just to the inside of the race winner, trying to keep in stride with that runner. Mile and a quarter time was 2:04.31.

In a final time of 2:29.32, Relentless would hold off Dream Controlled to his inside, and slipping up along the rail in some amazing late speed would be Higher Limit for the Show purse. Mustapha Dance would just nip Red Zero for the final share of the purse money in a photo. Early competitors Range Of The Sun, Rod Steiger and On The Jersey Shore would round out the field.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES