SA 7      Unusual Heat Turf Classic

   $200.000   4yo&Up    1 1/8m Turf      123lbs +penalties

Get in front and improve position from there… that seems to be the idea in the 2020 Unusual Heat Turf Classic as So Lonely, trained by Diablo Diablo, controlled the pace and held off all challengers late to go under the wire in front by a head.  Warrior Class closed well and made a late surge to take the second spot, a length in front of third place finisher, Carlos de Oso.

With the gate parked on the main track to get this turf affair underway with Cheapsnake away quickly.  Its Geek To Me right along side, So Lonely and Warrior Class.  Carlos de Oso came next, then Sinister Sunset, Inicanam next to that one and Kawhi was the early trailer.

Going into the clubhouse turn and six furlongs to run, Cheapsnake on the outside of So Lonely as those two were noses apart.  Two lengths back to Warrior Class between horses, Sinister Sunset on the outside, Its Geek To Me on the rail, then another length back to Carlos de Oso, then a gap of two back to Kawhi and Inicnam was the back marker.

Swing around the turn and moving through the back stretch, now three furlongs to run and So Lonely showing the way by a length and a half.  Cheapsnake continued to track that one and Sinister Sunset moved up to join that one.  Another length back to Carlos de Oso three wide, Warrior Class between horses, Its Geek To Me still saving ground, then a gap back to Inicnam and Kawhi was now at the rear.

Around the far turn and into the lane, they neared the furlong marker and So Lonely was in front by a length and a half.  The threesome of Warrior Class, Carlos de Oso and Cheapsnake chasing after him, Sinister Sunset just behind that group, two back to Inicnam, then Its Geek To Me backing out of it and Kawhi at the back.

Down to the wire, So Lonely in front, Warrior Class closing in with every stride… and as they hit the wire it was a close one but So Lonely held off Warrior Class to win by a head.  Carlos de Oso continued on well for the third spot, Cheapsnake in fourth, then Inicnam in fifth, Sinister Sunset in sixth, Kawhi in seventh and Its Geek To Me closed this one out.

So Lonely is a 4yo chestnut colt by Laffin Match – Single Z, by Z Cars, and he was bred by his owner, Diablo Diablo, in Cal.  This was his fifth win from fourteen starts and he now shows earnings of $206.800.  Congrats to So Lonely and his connections.

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Firm       Time: :46³  1:09³  1:33¹  1:45²
$1 Exacta: 4 – 2 Paid 30.40      $1 Trifecta: 4 – 2 – 3 Paid 283.10
Scratched: None

So Lonely was away well, set the pace for much of the contest, held off the late charge and won driving.  Warrior Class rated off of the pace, responded when asked just missing in a game effort.  Carlos de Oso raced in hand while three wide throughout, some late foot while no danger to the top two.  Cheapsnake broke well, sat just behind the leader, no response.  Inicnam rated well back, passed tiring rivals.  Sinister Sunset tracked for six furlongs, nothing for the drive.  Kawhi was outrun.  Its Geek To Me saved ground to no avail, tired.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded