LCD Turf ($100.000 Purse)
FG- For Three Year Olds and Upward Foaled In LA
One Mile and One Sixteenth on the Turf
December 12, 2020

Four horses took part in the LCD Turf at FG on Saturday, and with a virtual afternoon rain dampening the track, the field would have to deal with soft turf conditions. For Cp El Gran Ecstasy, that was a welcome development, as the last time he won it was also on soft turf. Here, the horse who’s talent far surpasses the ease of saying his name would take care of business and get his second win in three starts. The win is the first in the race for trainer Arindel, and the third for his jockey, J Graham. Congratulations to them! The race was run in 1:44.60. Here is how they fared:

1st- 2- Cp El Gran Ecstasy (Arindel) (4/1)- Our eventual winner did not concern himself with the early pace in any way, and would instead take his spot at the rear of the field. Moving into the backstretch, he had six lengths to make up. This was just fine for him as he rode it out in the backstretch and most of the way around the turn. Nearing the top of the stretch, J Graham told him it was time to go and Cp El Gran Ecstasy would respond. He still needed to make up four lengths on the leader, but the bigger concern for the stretch would likely be catching Cp Sad Pain or Subtle Grandeur, and not Tallahassee. While running on the outside, he kept on coming, and when they were all lined up side by side with 0.7F to go, you knew the race was his. And that it would be as he is much the best from there to get the win!

2nd- 1- Cp Sad Pain (Barcelona Farms) (5/1)- Started well, and stalked Tallahassee early on, but about midway into the opening turn, he would completely back off of that pursuit and drop five lengths from the lead. After settling into that position, he was content to ride there for most of the race before he began to inch closer at the top of the stretch. Ran well in the stretch, though not as well as the winner. Eventually, he would prevail for second by about a length.

3rd- 4- Subtle Grandeur (Bears Stable) (3/5)- The post time favorite got off to a steady start, but did not press the early pace. Initially third in the early going, he would inherit the second position when Cp Sad Pain was restrained but that did not lead to stronger pursuit for the lead. Did not apply any pressure to Tallahassee in the backstretch, and still trailed by two lengths entering the top of the stretch. Matched strides with Cp Sad Pain, but may have forgotten about the other “Cp” until it was too late. Outrun late.

4th- 3- Tallahassee (Gustafson Stable) (4/1)- Quick out of the gate and led the field down the front stretch and the opening turn before eventually opening up by three in the backstretch. Not much would change in the backstretch, or even in the turn, so he would emerge as the leader at the top of the stretch by two lengths. Could not answer the call once the field challenged him, and finishes in the back.

About The Winner- Cp El Gran Ecstasy, trained by Arindel and ridden to victory by J Graham is a three year old gelding by El Gran du Diadame is out of the late Spanish Ecstasy. He was bred in Louisiana by Childs Play as a yearling and acquired by Arindel in the March 2020 auction for $10.010. The win is his sixth in 18 starts, and his first stake win. His career earnings are now $169.560.

Track: Soft
Time: :24¹  :48³  1:13¹  1:44³

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 2 – 1 Paid 16.70

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded