The 18th Running of the G2 Ballston
August 28, 2021 14:40
SAR Race #6 $400.000 1 1/16 Turf
4YO+ Filles and Mares 123 Lbs
Track Record-1:38.91 (Pago Lass-2012)
Stakes Record-1:39.34 (Sesquipedalian-2012)
Ewa Beach got her preferred firm ground and took advantage of a great trip in taking down the $400.000 G2 Ballston at SAR. The win was the second graded score of the season for her trainer The American in only six attempts. She had to race off the rail for the entirety of the race, but she was unimpeded throughout the 8.5 furlongs and earned a determined half-length victory over Why You Do That while stopping the clock in 1:39.83 over the inner turf course.
Lost Goddess and Commanding Jane traded early blows as they battled on the front-end through a first quarter-mile in :23.74. Ewa Beach, racing in the two path, was three lengths off of the front-running duo with Why You Do That another three-quarters of a length back on her inside. The first half-mile of the 11/16 journey on the inner turf went in :46.59 as Lost Goddess had a slight advantage over Commanding Jane, on her inside, as the pair continued their battle on top. Ewa Beach was racing two lengths back in third with Why You Do That a length back on that runner’s inside.
As the field reached the midpoint of the far turn and three-quarters in 1:09.87, Commanding Jane had put a half-length on Lost Goddess, but Ewa Beach loomed a big threat making a run from the three path. Why You Do That chose to stay inside and wait for running room as she looked poised to strike. As they entered the top of the lane, Commanding Jane was a length on top; however, she was about to be confronted by Ewa Beach on her outside and Why You Do That on her inside. For a brief moment, it appeared that A. Beschizza had made the wise choice to hold rail position as there was not a straw in the path of his mount. Ewa Beach had other plans though.
Striking the front with little less than a furlong to go, Ewa Beach was in the center of the course. Why You Do That raced second, but had drifted off the rail and My Girl Makita was making a furious rally from the back on the inside. As she hit the wire in 1:39.83, Ewa Beach held a half-length advantage over Why You Do That. My Girl Makita raced into third a length behind the Mb Stables runner as she got the bob over a determined Lost Goddess.
With the win, Ewa Beach (What Have You Done o/o Breeze On By) earned six BC Filly & Mare Turf-G1 points and improved her record to 24-10-6-6 with earnings of $868.050. Why You Do That secured four BC points and My Girl Makita took home the final two points up for grabs in the G2 contest.
Congratulations to Ewa Beach and The American on their victory in the $400.000 G2 Ballston at SAR!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
