The Waya (Grade 3)- $300.000 Purse
BEL- For Fillies and Mares Three Years Old and Upward
One Mile and Three Eighths on the Inner Turf
October 3, 2021
Proud Eights has had a strong career, and this year was impressive for her with two Grade 1 wins over the spring and then a third such victory in August. Estero Farms enjoyed what he had, but about two weeks ago, it was time to sell her and Mb Stables stepped up, knowing she’d be a great addition to his already stacked stable. The Grade 3 Waya would be her debut for Mb, and this was the type of the race that she has always had success in. The field was small but it was very strong, and it included last year’s winner, Number Nine, as well as the reigning BC Fillies and Mares Turf champion, Maggie Greene. There was, perhaps, a slight tactical change with Proud Eights in the race, given that she was not at or near the lead early, and she would run great late to get the win and will definitely be one to watch next month. Mb Stables can cross this stake off the ever shrinking list of races that he has not won yet, and C J Hernandez is also a first time winner. The race was run in a time of 2:11.82 in the first time it was ever run at this distance. Let’s take a look!
(½ Mile- :47.45)- Number Nine jumps out to the early lead for Smokey Stover and has the Nakamura Stables trained Lost Goddess a half length behind her, to her inside for the run down the frontstretch and into the clubhouse turn. This lead increases to a full length by the time they enter the backstretch. There’s a gap of about two and a half to Maggie Greene, who runs by herself for The Sidley Stud. Further back, our eventual winner, Proud Eights runs at the tail end of the field for Mb Stables, five lengths from the lead, and she has company with De Nada (TwinTowersRacing) right beside her.
(¾ Mile- 1:11.05)- Running down the backstretch, they move into a single file formation as Number Nine continues to hold the lead and pulls away from Lost Goddess. After three-quarters of mile, Lost Goddess has dropped about two lengths from the lead. Maggie Greene is right behind her, and starts to position herself for a pass. Proud Eights still holds the rail, not making a push yet, but is now a length ahead of De Nada.
(Top Of Stretch, 1.8F To Go)- Completing the backstretch trip, and early into the turn, Number Nine was looking real good but about midway through, it was apparent that she was not going to be able to maintain the pace. Lost Goddess began backing out of it, and both Maggie Greene and Proud Eights did well to make a simultaneous move over that would make synchronized swimmers jealous. Maggie Greene was very polite, too, because she could have only moved over one lane, but why do that when you can move over two lanes so Proud Eights can have plenty of room. Both of these two put on a powerful run in the second half of the turn, and by the time they reached the top of the stretch, Proud Eights was just a length back. Maggie Greene was, too, but drifted out a bit on exit of the turn. Nada was happening with De Nada.
(Finish- 2:11.82)- Proud Eights would gracefully complete the pass of Number Nine and be about a length ahead with a furlong to go in the stretch. Maggie Greene was not making any more process, so at this point, all that we had to do was watch Proud Eights run to the wire and get the win. It ends up being a two length win for her. Number Nine held on to second over Maggie Greene in a photo with Lost Goddess and De Nada finishing way out of it.
About The Winner- Proud Eights, trained by Mb Stables and ridden to victory by C J Hernandez, is a five year old filly by Eight Eights, and is out of Proud To Watch. She was bred in Kentucky by First Class Stable as a second quarter two year old. She was purchased in private sales on September 22nd for $750.000 from Estero Farms. Congratulations to the connections! The win is her eighth (of course) in 25 starts, and her sixth stake win, all of which are graded. Her career earnings are now $1,695.400.
| ## | Horse Name | Owner Name | Jockey | Odds | Fin | Time | SRF | |||
|
Proud Eights | Mb Stables | Hernandez C J | 2.15 | 12 | 2:11.82 | ||||
|
Number Nine | Smokey Stover | Bridgmohan S X | 1.00 | 2nk | 2:12.24 | ||||
|
Maggie Greene | The Sidley Stud | Jaramillo E | 3.65 | 36 | 2:12.30 | ||||
|
Lost Goddess | Nakamura Stables | Carrasco V R | 6.15 | 4hd | 2:13.50 | ||||
|
De Nada | TwinTowersRacing | Velazquez J R | 72.15 | 5 | 2:13.53 |
Track: Firm
Time: :472 1:11 1:344 2:114
$2 Mutuel Prices:
| 1 – Proud Eights | 6.30 | 2.50 | 2.10 |
| 6 – Number Nine | 2.30 | 2.10 | |
| 2 – Maggie Greene | 2.10 |
$1 Exacta: 1 – 6 Paid 5.20
$1 Trifecta: 1 – 6 – 2 Paid 12.50
Scratched: Zalinda
— NS
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
