The Ft. Lauderdale Stakes (Grade 2)- $200.000 Purse
GP- For Three Year Olds and Upward
One Mile and One Eighth on the Turf
December 14, 2019
The biggest question surrounding Decibel heading into the Ft. Lauderdale Stakes was, “where has he been?” He came into the race on a 90-day layoff, and that’s during a time when turf races are plentiful. His form was good going into the Northern Dancer BC Turf, but he didn’t finish well in what was a race that saw him stretch out. No one will know why he has been on the shelf for so long, but in the Grade 2 Ft. Lauderdale Stakes, he was back and people were excited to see him, making him the post time favorite. The winning trainer of this talented gelding is Threshold, and it’s his first win in the stake. E S Prado is also a first time winner. Congratulations to them! The time of the victory was 1:45.32. Let’s take a look!
(½ Mile- :46.67)- Out of the gate, both our eventual winner, Threshold’s Decibel and Nakamura Stables’ Cheapsnake are quick and each seem to want the early lead. Decibel would pull in front of Cheapsnake prior to reaching the opening turn, and would use that turn to open a length advantage. Cheapsnake was forced to run in the third lane around the turn, because he was never able to clear the third place Sezarchai, from Ekli Stable. That one also broke alertly, but was more content to assume a stalking position quicker. Going Gone, out of John Henry, pulled up alongside during the turn. Behind them, it was orderly, with it being a length more to Oxford Manor (Smokey Stover) and Chipotle (Arindel), and another length to Name Drop (Fractious) and Grande Chai Latte (The A Stable).
(3/4 Mile- 1:09.64)- Down the backstretch, Decibel is still looking comfortable on the front end, keeping his pace and extending his lead just a bit. Cheapsnake remained in the third lane, still unable to move over, and it seemed as though his wide trip was going to continue in the turn. Each of Sezarchai and Going Gone were still to his inside, but neither making a push as of yet. Just as we hit six furlongs, we began to see Oxford Manor showing his intentions, moving up a bit and looking to follow Cheapsnake, or perhaps go four wide in the turn. Name Drop and Grande Chai Latte maintained their distance, and seemed to be exploring options.
(Top Of Stretch, 1.5F To Go)- It is still Decibel in front, but the pressure was starting to come now. He still seemed to be in a good stride, though the trainer was likely getting nervous as Going Gone started to try and sneak his way through on the rail. Cheapsnake was trying to hold his ground, but was not pushing forward, and Sezarchai was to his inside, possibly with a run coming. Oxford Manor did opt for the four wide move, and on exit of the turn he really seemed to be in a good position. Name Drop looked for an outside lane now, though Chipotle was coming up flat. Grande Chai Latte was running out of time to make a move.
(Finish- 1:45.32)- The extended rest may have paid off for Decibel, and he was certainly not rusty in the stretch. He maintained excellent form in the stretch, and would fend off the valiant charge by Going Gone. For the runner up, nothing wrong with the effort, it’s just second best. Oxford Manor, for some reason, drifted out terribly in the stretch. He still finishes third, but seemed like he’d be closer to the win then he should have been if not for the drifting. Cheapsnake does enough to be fourth, holding off Name Drop for that final piece of the purse. Sezarchai, Chipotle, and Grande Chai Latte were not factors late.
About The Winner- Decibel, trained by Threshold and ridden to victory by E S Prado, is a five year old gelding by Decima, and is out of the late Sounds of Iwo Jima. He was bred in Ontario by Harrell Racing as a second quarter two year old, and acquired by Threshold in March 2017, in private sales, after just one race for the grand total of $1.000. A buck well spent! Congratulations to the connections! The win is his sixth in 23 starts, and it is his fourth stake win, with three being graded. His career earnings are now $1,520.300.
| ## | Horse Name | Owner Name | Jockey | Odds | Fin | Time | SRF | |||
|
Decibel | Threshold | Prado E S | 2.50 | 1nk | 1:45.32 | — | |||
|
Going Gone | John Henry | Leparoux J R | 5.60 | 21/2 | 1:45.37 | — | |||
|
Oxford Manor | Smokey Stover | Lopez P | 3.95 | 31 | 1:45.48 | — | |||
|
Cheapsnake | Nakamura Stables | Saez L | 23.50 | 41/2 | 1:45.70 | — | |||
|
Name Drop | Fractious | Tunon M | 3.20 | 51/4 | 1:45.81 | — | |||
|
Chipotle | Arindel | Zayas E J | 14.35 | 6no | 1:45.89 | — | |||
|
Sezarchai | Ekli Stable | Jaramillo E | 12.85 | 71 | 1:45.90 | — | |||
|
Grande Chai Latte | The A Stable | Juarez N | 6.85 | 8 | 1:46.10 | — |
Track: Firm
Time: :463 1:093 1:331 1:451
$2 Mutuel Prices:
| 9 – Decibel | 7.00 | 3.80 | 2.70 |
| 2 – Going Gone | 5.90 | 3.30 | |
| 4 – Oxford Manor | 3.00 |
$1 Exacta: 9 – 2 Paid 25.30
$1 Trifecta: 9 – 2 – 4 Paid 101.10
Scratched: Hefner
— NS
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
