The Sands Point (Grade 2)- $500.000 Purse
BEL- For Fillies Three Years Old
One Mile and One Eighth on the Inner Turf
September 17, 2016

If you’re going to name yourself Congratulations, then you better be pretty good, and this three year old Copper Bottom filly truly is that and more.  She has had an excellent three year old campaign already, but there is no stopping her from wanting to continue to add on the accolades. At the Sands Point, she did seem as though she would be one of the favorites, and we did have her amongst our picks.  At the track, she would go off as the second choice.   Congratulations ran this race much like she usually does, with the hard charge from behind in the stretch, but she really did well to position herself not too far from the leaders early, so she would not have as much ground to make up.  In the end, she got the job done for trainer Blushing Meadows, who wins the race for the second time in four years.  His prior victory came in 2013 with General Rose.  It is the first Sands Point win for jockey J Alvarado.  The time of the race, 1:45.78, is a record for the stake when held under the exact same conditions.  You know you want to say it, Congratulations, Congratulations! Here’s how it was won!

1st- 1- Congratulations (3/1)- Today’s eventual winner from Blushing Meadows was decent out of the gate, but as expected, would be content to assume a position towards the rear of the field.   While tucked in on the rail, she wound drop in to a position four lengths from the leader, Swarley Kapai, as they moved into the backstretch.  Held this position for that portion, before J Alvarado made a power move off the rail as they moved into the final turn, not being afraid to touch Cant Touch That and move her down.   This was important, because White Bikini was also on the rail, and would soon be drifting back.  Needled her way through a hole between Laff Night Out and Cant Touch That, making her about two lengths back as they hit the top of the stretch.    In the stretch, Swarley Kapai was a sitting duck, and Congratulations was able to zoom on by with little challenge from her rival, and would win while driving all the way to the wire!  The time of the victory again was 1:45.78!  Congratulations is a three year old filly by Copper Bottom and out of Catalyst For Major (Jolly Be Great bloodline).  She was bred in California by Team 7 Illusions as a yearling and was purchased unraced in December of 2014 by Blushing Meadows for just $7.770.  Congratulations to the connections!

2nd- 5- Swarley Kapai (9/1)- Our pre-race favorite from Grimley got off to a quick start right from the gate, and would lead the field around the opening turn and into the backstretch, and in doing so set the opening ½ mile in :47.35.  Continued to hold this steady advantage as they moved into the around the turn, running six furlongs in 1:10.60.  She still looked real good while rounding the turn and into the top of the stretch, especially as White Bikini tailed off.  With a furlong to go, Congratulations was coming, but she still had a two length advantage on her.  Unfortunately for the trainer, she had no fight left in her to fend off that one.

3rd- 3- Laff Night Out (9/2)-   The Buddhabase filly started well and tuck herself in to the third position, behind the two early frontrunners.   Began to catch White Bikini for second while going around the turn, but it appeared as though a couple where setting up their gameplans for getting around her as well.  As they moved into the stretch, she dug down and found a little more run, and while it didn’t get her a win or by Swarley Kapai, it definitely was the difference in maintaining this third position.

4th- 2- Cant Touch That (9/1)- The D J C Racing Stables entry was not concerned with the early pace of the race, and went right to the back.  Stabilized in the backstretch to be about three lengths from the leaders.  As Congratulations came down off the rail, Cant Touch That wanted to split Laff Night Out and Street Baby in the turn.  She was never able to make this stick, and while she did not run terribly, she did not have the fight needed to be a factor in the stretch.

5th- 7- Smokin Nebulae (9/5)- Ended up being the post-time favorite, but the Drabfantasy filly seemed a little sluggish out of the gate and would end up at the rear of the field.  Remained at the back as they moved around the turn, and did not respond with a push to the front as Congratulations made her push.  With a furlong to go, she was still at the back, still with four lengths to make up, but most importantly Congratulations had long since left the building.

6th- 4- White Bikini (29/1)- Challenged Swarley Kapai out of the gate and into the opening turn for the lead, but ultimately the Luz International backed off of the challenge.  Stayed in her shadow through the backstretch trip, but about midway through the turn, she did not have an answer for the advances of the others and dropped to this position.

7th- 6- Street Baby (5/1)- The filly from Australia Wide started the race in a midpack position, about 2 ½ lengths from the leaders in the backstretch.  Caught on the outside around the turn, and ended up being at least five wide.  This would seal her fate.

Track: Firm
Time: :47¹  1:10³  1:34   1:45³

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 1 – 5 Paid 51.20
$1 Trifecta: 1 – 5 – 3 Paid 121.40

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES