8/20/22

  9  SAR    The Alabama (GI)

    $600.000   3yoF      1 1/4m  Dirt     122lbs

I say it all the time… in the big races, take the big stable.  Mb Stables takes both graded races here in up-state NY, as Derby Connection, sent off as the 5/1 second choice, won the photo from Smokey Stover and Exactly, to take The Alabama (GI) by a head.  The final running time for the mile and a quarter was an impressive 2:01³, over the main track, listed as Fast.  The winner’s stable-mate, Grande Sunset was two lengths back in third, with Feliz Cumpleanos a half length back in fourth

The field of eleven loaded into the gate in front of the large crowd here at SAR and were away in good order with no shortage of horses wanting the early advantage… four across the track as Curlina from the far outside, Present Tense to her inside, then down to the rail for Grande Sunset and Karloffs Monster, then a gap to Exactly, Feliz Cumpleanos on her inside, another predictable gap to Matamata between horses, Sister Crespi towards the outside and Derby Connection on the inside, then a gap back to the trailing pair of Kalthoff Repeater and Happy Pumpum. 

Making their way around the clubhouse turn and nearing the run down the backside, six and a half furlongs to run, four of them still winging it on the front end with Curlina from the far outside, Present Tense next to that one, one more towards the inside to Karloffs Monster, and Grande Sunset on the rail.  A gap of a length and a half to Grande Sunset, Exactly on her flank, Matamata next to that one, Sister Crespi on the far outside and back towards the rail to Derby Connection.  Gap of two, Feliz Cumpleanos by herself, then another gap to the trailing duo of Kalthoff Repeater and Happy Pumpum.

Down the backside and now headed into the far turn with three and a half furlongs to run, not much change in this one, still the foursome going at it on the front end… Curlina with a narrow advantage, Grande Sunset on the rail, Present Tense three wide and Karloffs Monster in the two path, now Derby Connection starting to press forward, Matamata moving on the outside of that one and down to the rail for Exactly.  Sister Crespi moving out wide and starting to gain a bit, with Feliz Cumpleanos content to save ground, still under wraps, then the trailing pair of Kalthoff Repeater and Happy Pumpum.

Moving around the far turn and into the lane with three-sixteenths to run, the complexion of this one changed quickly as the speed was falling apart and the closers were waiting to pick the meat off of the bones… Exactly now with a half-length advantage over Grande Sunset, Present Tense trying to dig in as Derby Connection moved up on the outside of that one.  Curlina headed in the wrong direction after setting the pace, same with Karloffs Monster.  Feliz Cumpleanos now trying to mount a charge down the inside, out wider to Matamata and Sister Crespi, then a gap to Kalthoff Repeater and Happy Pumpum had put the cue in the rack. 

Now inside the final sixteenth and this was looking like a two horse race to the wire… Exactly on the lead, Derby Connection moving forward with every stride, Grande Sunset unable to go with the top pair, Present Tense trying to keep her momentum going and Feliz Cumpleanos now showing her best stride as the others seemed to be hanging on to what ever they had left.

Inside the final 150-yards and to the finish, it was in fact a two horse race, Exactly on the lead, but it was not to be her afternoon as Derby Connection was just too much and took the victory by a head.  Exactly was a clear second with Grande Sunset hanging on gamely for the third spot.  Feliz Cumpleanos closed to be fourth, Present Tense fifth, Kalthoff Repeater sixth, Karloffs Monster seventh,  Matamata eighth, Curlina tiring to be ninth, Sister Crespi tenth and Happy Pumpum closed this one out.

Derby Connection is a 3yo bay filly by Derby Contender – Special Connection, by Quinte Royale, and she was bred in Cal by Two Hearts One Love.  Mb Stables acquired her in May for $600.000, and this was her first win for the new connections.  She now has five lifetime wins from ten starts and earnings of $1,051.610.  Congratulations to the Connections!

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Fast      Time: :48   1:12   1:36²  2:01³
$1 Exacta: 5 – 6 Paid 49.50       $1 Trifecta: 5 – 6 – 3 Paid 133.30
Scratched: None

Derby Connection raced mid-pack 2p to the far turn, moved to 6p into the lane, closed determinedly, caught leader at the furlong pole, prevailed.  Exactly raced mid-pack 2p, responded when asked late second turn and into the lane, took over at the top of the lane leading to the furlong marker, caught, out-finished in a game effort.  Grande Sunset pushed the pace to the far turn, took the lead from there into the lane, headed, could not go with top pair while best of rest.  Feliz Cumpleanos rated well off of the pace, bothered foe at the furlong pole while moving forward from the rail, best foot too late.  Present Tense forced the pace, moved to mid-pack for the drive, out-kicked.  Kalthoff Repeater rated well off of the pace, moved to the inside for a late run, bothered multiple times at the furlong marker losing all chance.  Karloffs Monster pressed the pace to the top of the lane, tired.  Matamata was not a factor.  Curlina broke alertly, set a disputed pace to midway on the far turn, folded.  Sister Crespi was never involved.  Happy Pumpum trailed throughout. 

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES