Lexington – Grade III [KYD]
1 1/16 Mile Dirt Stake Purse $400.000 Open 3 Year Olds.
1st Ey Mon Arindel Saez L
The Battaglia Memorial has been a great form race for the KYD this year as the runner up that day earned his spot for the big dance with a pretty decisive win here. Getting the perfect spot from his wide draw he proved again that wide draws are no problem to him and may even be an advantage. The winning time was an improvement on his Battaglia time so it looks like he is still improving so he could turn out to be a lively outsider come the run for the roses.
Bred by his owner with his own stallion and own unraced mare this would have been particularly enjoyable for the relatively new yard that is taking the game by storm.
2nd Cheveley Park Mo Mentum Farm Velazquez J R
It is weird that two wide drawn horses managed to find the stalk so comfortably off a pretty average first quarter and going so quickly into the first turn, but thats what happened out of the gate in this race. Whatever caused that was the success for the first two home as this one found a comfortable stalk nicely behind the leader. He kept on really well to be second although it has to be said was well held by the winner but this run should see him make the field and he certainly deserves a chance to be there.
3rd Speightstown Nakamura Stables Carrasco V R
Ran a cracker for a horse that looked a step behind them coming into the race. Just an average start he found a place in mid pack and stayed on nicely for third. he may benefit from not making the KYD and build into a nice BEL prospect.
4th Paco D J C Racing Stables Ferrer J C
Strangely for a horse that has been dogged with terrible draws he got the worst in transit position he has got for a while. Back in eighth through the first quarter it was always going to be tough with a wall of horses in front of him and in the end he had to settle for a running on fourth. He will miss the KYD now but i reckon he may be back for the Preakness or the BEL.
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
