A dead-heat… who’dathunkit?  In the never ending series of ties, we had another here in this Freshman turf route when 22/1-shot Malibu Run couldn’t be separated from 5/1 Vim, so they split the winnings from Saturday’s The Pilgrim (GIII) and everyone went home happy – well, at least Barcelona Farms and Blushing Meadows were happy.  Call The Ball was a length back in third, making a $811.40 trifecta, either way you played it.

The field of ten loaded up quickly and were away in good order with Authorization showing good speed, Smokin Romantic and Minimum Wage to his inside, Mucho Of Doom from the rail and Vim from the far outside in hot pursuit.  A Little Influence just in behind the top flight, Steal Your Heart on the outside of that one, Malibu Run and Hawkward back towards the inside, and Call The Ball was the early trailer.

Midway down the backside and five-and-a-half furlongs to run, Authorization slipped up the rail to put a neck in front.  Vim right next to that one, then a gap of a length and a half back to Mucho Of Doom, Minimum Wage right next to that one, then a gap of two back A Little Influence between Smokin Romantic towards the inside, Steal Your Heart on the outside.  Another length to Malibu Run, two more back to Hawkward and Call The Ball could still see them all.

Now midway on the far turn, three furlongs left to run, and Vim had opened up a two length lead.  Authorization along the rail, Mucho Of Doom next to that one, then a gap of two back to Minimum Wage.  Two more lengths back to Steal Your Heart, four wide, A Little Influence inside of that one and the Smokin Romance on the rail.  Malibu Run was next, Hawkward on the inside of that one and Call The Ball still at the rear eight lengths covering them.

Into the lane and past the furlong marker, Vim and Mucho Of Doom now looking each other in the eye, Malibu Run with a huge move and gaining on the top pair, Steal Your Heart next to him, a wall of five in behind that pair, and Authorization was now the trailer.

Inside the final 150-yards and to the wire, Vim now in front, Mucho Of Doom not able to stay with that one as Malibu Run was flying down the center of the course and as they hit the wire, it was too close to call with the naked eye and it went to the placing judges.  After viewing the instant video replay, it was a dead-heat between Malibu Run and Vim.  Call The Ball closed well to be third, a head in front of Mucho Of Doom.  Steal Your Heart was fifth, A Little Influence in sixth, Smokin Romantic, Minimum Wage in eighth, Hawkward ninth and Authorization closed this one out.

Malibu Run is a 2yo bay gelding by Dike – Feral Smile, by Hail Two Bob.  He was bred by his owner, Barcelona Farms, in CA.  With the DH, he remains undefeated, winning all four of his starts and he now has $156.480 in earnings.

Vim is a 2yo bay gelding by Charlemagne – Ghetto Wars, by Swarley.  He was bred by his owner, Blushing Meadows, in NY.  This was his second win from four starts and he now has earnings of $113.710.

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Firm               Time: :23³  :46⁴  1:10¹  1:40
$1 Exacta: 3 – 10 Paid 61.10, 10 – 3 Paid 43.40
$1 Trifecta: 3 – 10 – 7 Paid 811.40, 10 – 3 – 7 Paid 811.40
Scratched: None

Categories: Grade III