August 22, 2016

One of the best fields assembled at HRP this year went to the gate in the Grade I Pacific Classic on Saturday afternoon and under beautiful conditions at DMR, it was only fitting that nothing could separate the top two finishers at Greek Poet, winner of the SA Handicap, and High Pride, riding a three-race winning streak, hit the wire together to each take a share of the top prize. Both earn an automatic start in the BC Classic later this year and while the four-year-old Greek Poet is proven with more than $2000.000 in earnings, High Pride is the up-and-coming three-year-old who can now set his sights on a much bigger prize after winning his first Grade I test with gusto.

Spanish Showboat (13.45) rocketed from the gate to the roar of the DMR (and HRP) crowd and as stablemates Niagra (5.85) and Port On The Horizon (24.90) found early positions inside and as the outside runners saved ground under the line first time around, Captain General (13.40) was the only one kept slightly wide at the back. Greek Poet (5.60) stayed three-wide behind the leader into the first turn but quickly dropped back off the pace as Spanish Showboat led the way, with Niagra in a perfect spot two-wide into the backstretch. The half-mile time of 47.90 was well within the scope of these runners and at the halfway point, Hyper Silver (*3.80) started to come with a wide run as the backfield stayed well out into the track, and that left plenty of room for the inside runners to make their jump forward if good enough. Niagra shifted into the three-path as Port On The Horizon found space between him and Spanish Showboat but through six-furlongs in 1:11.81, the real danger was coming from High Pride (5.35), who was closing fast inside with only a clear path between him and the leaders. As Niagra inched forward, so too did Phooeys Warrior (38.10) inside and Greek Poet outside and with lines of three struggling to hold position, the final quarter-mile was looking to provide the ultimate test. At the head of the lane, Niagra was the leader with a host of challengers breathing down his neck and as Port On The Horizon came up inside, Greek Poet came outside with High Pride struggling for, then finding a lane in the last furlong. With an late burst, the three-year-old looked to pip his older rival but determination saw both High Pride and Greek Poet hit the wire together, one-length clear of Port On The Horizon and Niagra, who finished nostrils apart for third and fourth after battling the entire way. Connectivity (7.05) came with a sharp run to finish fifth from Phooeys Warrior inside, with Hyper Silver wide, Spanish Showboat tiring and defending champ Outward Bound (50.55) a non-factor at 50-1. Spanish Town Posse (16.15) showed nothing inside, Chrystal Pip (11.65) and Chrystal Wizard (29.25) were very disappointing and Captain General never got on track, trailing the winners home by nearly eight-lengths.

After faltering at 1 ¼ miles last year, Greek Poet has been a model of consistency at the distance this year and took home the SA Handicap-Pacific Classic double on Saturday, albeit in a dead-heat with rising star High Pride. The three-year-old used the same Dominion Day-Classic double as 2012 winner The Windy City from the same stable, and that gelding went on to score the JC Gold Cup and finish second in the BC Classic, clearly an omen of things to come for this improving colt.

Congratulations goes out to owners Mb Stables & Hawaiian Shirt Guy, who conditioned High Pride and Greek Poet to win the Grade I Pacific Classic at DMR!

Prediction                      Chrystal Pip / Greek Poet / Niagra

Winner                            High Pride

                                           Three-year-old bay colt

                                           Chai Latte-Proud To Be (Steel Ball)

                                           Greek Poet

                                           Four-year-old gray gelding

                                           Auto-Generated

Owners                            Mb Stables & Hawaiian Shirt Guy

Time                                  47.90, 1:11.81, 1:36.13, 2:01.33

Overall

High Pride                        5.35 midpack early, found room, up in time

Greek Poet                        5.60 wide run, wide into lane, caught

Port On The Horizon     24.90 inside trip, found momentum late

Niagra                                5.85 pressed, clear into lane, passed

Connectivity                      7.05 sharp late rally

Phooeys Warrior             38.10 inside run throughout

Hyper Silver                       *3.80 wide both turns

Spanish Showboat           13.45 set pace, faded in stretch

Outward Bound                50.55 no factor

Spanish Town Posse       16.15 no factor

Chrystal Pip                       11.65 wide run throughout

Chrystal Wizard                29.25 outrun

Captain General                13.40 wide into turn, done early

Triple T Racing 🙂

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES