Sycamore (Grade 2)- $400.00 Purse
KEE- For Three Year Olds and Upward
One Mile and One Half on the Turf
October 9, 2026

On Friday in the Sycamore, Convincing would finally come out on top at the stake level, wether graded or ungraded. He’s had several opportunities, but there would always be at least one horse that got in his way. Following a strong appearance in the DMR Handicap, perhaps he could change that at KEE. After a mile and a half, he would finally clear that hurdle, winning by about a length over our pick to win, Kegger. Convincing is trained by Diablo Diablo, and was ridden by V Espinoza. For each, it is their first Sycamore win. Congratulations to them! The time of the win was 2:24.86, the third quickest in the race’s history. Let’s take a look at it!

(½ Mile- :48.96)- Right from the gate, the top three run alongside one another with very little between them, and they will do this while rounding the opening turn and down the front stretch for the first time. Family Racing’s Dramatic is credited with being a nose in front at this point, as he runs the rail with the Ajm Stables- trained Kegger beside him. Running in the third lane, Go Go Goblin has no problem hanging with them for Mb Stables. Our eventual winner from Diablo Diablo, Convincing, will stalk the lead trio, sitting two lengths off the lead. It’s three more to the trainer, Gdp Inc.’s Edward The Great.

(3/4 Mile- 1:13.18)- Moving to the halfway point of the race, the front three will continue to run alongside one another. The middle horse, Kegger, has a head in front of the other two, but Dramatic will hang right there on the trial, and Go Go Goblin isn’t worried about the continued three wide trip. Convincing is still unbothered by that group, maintaining that two length gap as he rides this portion of the race out. Edward The Great is now about six out.

(Top of The Stretch, 1.8F To Go)- Early in the backstretch run, Kegger would begin to prevail over the other two leaders, leading by a length midway through it. V Espinoza could see what was going on in front of him and move Convincing into position to follow Kegger through when it would ultimately be time to strike. At the top of the turn, Kegger was clearly in front, as both Dramatic and Go Go Goblin could not keep up with him. Convincing would use that turn to reel those two in, and by the time they were midway in the turn, he had moved into the second position with about a length and a half to make up on Kegger. Once at the top of the stretch, he was within a length, and Diablo Diablo had to be thrilled to see how the race was setting up for him now. Edward The Great still had not made a push.

(Finish- 2:24.86)- With a furlong to go, the lead would switch hands to Convincing, and at this point, V Espinoza just needed to look over his shoulder once to know his horse was safe. Kegger was beaten, Dramatic and Go Go Goblin were tiring, and Edward The Great did not have a deep close coming. Though the win would not be a romp due to Kegger trying to be as resilient as possible, it was never in doubt after that point. Kegger is a clear second, with Go Go Goblin edging Dramatic in a photo for show. Edward The Great never got involved.

About The Winner- Convincing, trained by Diablo Diablo and ridden to victory by V Espinoza, is a five year old horse by Action Man and is out of the late Balancing Act. He was bred in California as a yearling by Diablo Diablo, and they have been together throughout. Congratulations to the connections! The win is his fifth in 28 starts and first stake win. His career earnings are now $573.87.

Note- I wrote nearly the entirely article using female pronouns for the horses. I believe I caught them all and fixed it, but apologies if I missed one or more.

— NS

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES