Down On The Beat delivered a strong late-running victory in the Ruffian Handicap-G2, giving Winning Link Stables and jockey Velazquez J R the win over a muddy AQU mile. After sitting well back early, she advanced steadily, reached contention by the stretch, and finished with authority to win by 3 lengths.

Race Recap

The Ruffian Handicap-G2 was run at 1 mile on dirt for fillies and mares four years old and up, with a purse of $200.00. The track was listed as muddy, and the race went in 1:37.77 after fractions of :23, :47.2, and 1:12.2. Barossa Valley and Wyldewood were scratched.

Always The One took the early lead through the opening call, with Sassy State closest in pursuit. Balius was also forwardly placed, while Eilonwy, Chantilly Road, and Anoushka On Tap settled in the middle group. Down On The Beat was seventh early, and Delilahs Den was eighth.

At the second call, Always The One still led narrowly, with Sassy State right there and Balius continuing to track. Chantilly Road held a steady fifth position, while Down On The Beat began to improve from sixth.

By the stretch call, Balius had taken over, with Sassy State still involved and Always The One beginning to give way. Down On The Beat had advanced into fourth and was clearly moving into the race. Chantilly Road stayed on in fifth, while Delilahs Den, Eilonwy, and Anoushka On Tap were unable to mount a serious late threat.

In the final run, Down On The Beat swept past and drew clear decisively. Balius held second, Chantilly Road finished third, and Sassy State completed the top four after running much better than expected at long odds.

Individual Trip Notes

Down On The Beat was unhurried early, advanced from seventh to sixth, then fourth, and finished best of all to win clearly for Winning Link Stables and Velazquez J R.

Balius tracked the pace, took command by the stretch call, and held second after being overtaken late.

Chantilly Road raced in the middle flight, stayed on steadily, and completed the trifecta.

Sassy State was forward throughout and ran much better than expected, pressing the pace and holding fourth.

Delilahs Den was last early, improved some position late, and finished fifth.

Always The One made the early pace but faded after being involved through the opening stages.

Eilonwy raced midpack early but weakened through the final stages.

Anoushka On Tap never advanced meaningfully and finished eighth.

Winner’s Profile

Down On The Beat is a gray 4-year-old filly by Hard To Deny out of Via Sixtina, bred by Night Mare Racing and now owned by Winning Link Stables. With the Ruffian victory, her lifetime earnings increased to $430.84.

Track: Muddy
Time: :23  :47²  1:12²  1:37³

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 2 – 1 Paid 68.30
$1 Trifecta: 2 – 1 – 10 Paid 346.10

Scratched: Barossa Valley, Wyldewood

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES