The 19th Running of the G1 Pharoah Stakes
October 1, 2021 18:20
SA Race #8 $300.000 11/16 Dirt
2YOs 120 Lbs
Track Record-1:38.57 (Icicle-2005)
Stakes Record-1:41.74 (Symboli Rudolf-2015)
Custom Continental, trained by Jive Inc., pulled a fast one on his eleven foes in the $400.000 G1 Pharoah Stakes at SA and now has an automatic spot in the starting gate for next month’s G1 BC Juvenile. Going the same 8.5 furlong trip as the Juvenile, Custom Continental popped the gate at the start and never looked back as he cruised around the SA oval enroute to a half-length victory that took 1:42.39. In his Sapling victory, Custom Continental spotted the field several lengths before passing all six rivals enroute to a two length victory; however, Jive Inc. took the gamble to put him on the front-end and his horse made it look like easy money.
Custom Continental set fractions of :23.37, :46.95, and 1:10.68 while racing on a two length lead on the rail. The quartet behind him included Killer Instinct, Warrior Of Chiefs, Uranus, and Orange Chicken; however, none of them ever tried to apply any real pressure on the front-runner. Racing in a good rhythm, the leader seemed to be improving his position with every pole he passed.
At the top of the lane, Custom Continental still enjoyed his two length lead. As jockey D. Moran took a peak over his shoulder, he could see Killer Instinct and Uranus trying to gain ground on him and Warrior Of Chiefs was still invested from the rail. When they reached the 1/16 pole, the gap was only a length and the field was starting to bunch-up. Custom Continental had drifted-out to about the three-path and the challenge was coming from his inside as Warrior Of Chiefs was steadily eating into his deficit and Fionas Miracle was gobbling-up the ground down on the rail.
Custom Continental repelled all challenges and held for a half-length victory. Warrior Of Chiefs and Fionas Miracle finished as one and had to settle for DH second after the track stewards took down the photo sign. It was a head back to Croton Road as he came from well back to nose out Killer Instinct for the last paying position. The top five were separated by just 3/4 of a length in sum. Completing the order of finish were Twin Jet Engines, All Take, Mr Fabulous, Uranus, Orange Chicken, Liberia, and Cherokee Vacation.
Custom Continental (Pinkman o/o Madam Time), a 2yo bay gelding, gains entry into the G1 BC Juvenile while improving his record to 5-3-0-0 with earnings of $359.600. Warrior Of Chiefs and Fionas Miracle were both awarded six BC points for their DH and they should be in the gate for the November contest with six points each.
Congratulations to Custom Continental and Jive Inc. for their G1 Pharoah Stakes victory and good luck to everyone as they finish out the 2021 racing season.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
