Eddie D Stakes (Grade 2)- $200.000 Purse
SA- For Three Year Olds and Upward
Six and a Half Furlongs on the Turf
September 30, 2023
A full field made their way to SA on Saturday for the running of the Grade 2 Eddie D Stakes, and it didn’t seem to matter if you were starting from the outside. After six and a half furlongs, the two that started in the outside posts ended up finishing 1-2, with our pick to win, Fiddlestyck, getting the job done. It’s the second win in a row, and fourth in the last five for this gelding, who simply has a remarkable track record of consistency. He is trained by Chili King Stables and was ridden by J R Velazquez. For each, it is their first win in the Eddie D Stakes. Congratulations to them! The time of the win was 1:12.09. Let’s take a look at it!
(1/4 Mile- :21.61)- We make our way down the downhill part of the turf course with Indian Summer holding the early advantage for Diablo Diablo, but he will have One Man Show, who’s trained by Spankys Barn, running within a half-length to his inside. Stalking the leaders are two horses, and one of them is our eventual winner, Fiddlestyck, for Chili King Stables, and right there with him is the post-time favorite, Maxmillion Farm’s Insist On Perfection. It’s very tight in the middle of the field, with a four wide group consisting of, from inside to outside, Edward Scissorhands (Avenue Z), Pearls Before Swine (Mo Mentum Farm), Money Truck (Invicta Group Llc), and Royally Haunted (Mb Stables). Only a length behind that group three-year-old Valinor (Alydar Stables) and Command Class (Sccj Stables). Trailing are Free Blast (Fractious) and State General (Mb Stables).
(1/2 Mile- :43.47, Top of Stretch, 1.7F To Go)- Indian Summer looks good as they work around the turn and enter the top of the stretch. He’s moving right along with plenty of speed, but One Man Show is not going anywhere to his inside. Fiddlestyck has been lurking near these too, and now inches closer to the lead while running on the outside. He’s left Insist On Perfection behind, and that one is now passed Edward Scissorhands with potentially more coming. There’s a tight group of five horses, which are led by Money Truck that are next, and it remains to be seen if one of them are going to make a push. Command Class and State General have even more work to do if they want to get the win.
(Finish- 1:12.09)- Indian Summer does his best, but with a furlong to go, Fiddlestyck would simply be too strong for him. That one now has the lead and J R Velazquez could peak over his shoulder to see if there were any new challengers coming from behind. It didn’t seem as though there would be, as even though the pack was very tight from fourth on back, they were simply running evenly. Approaching the wire, it was Fiddlestyck all by himself, and he would score a win by a length. Indian Summer holds on for second, and things were extremely tight behind him. Pearls Before Swine completes the trifecta with Valinor fourth, ahead of State General, Money Truck, and One Man Show. Rounding it out, it’s Command Class, Free Blast, Edward Scissorhands, Insist On Perfection, and Royally Haunted.
About The Winner- Fiddlestyck, trained by Chili King Stables and ridden to victory by J R Velazquez, is a three-year-old gelding by Worst Case Scenario and is out of Corn G. He was bred as a second quarter two-year-old by his trainer in California, and they have been together throughout. Congratulations to the connections! The win is his fourth in 14 starts, and his second stake win, each of which are graded. His career earnings are now $888.910.
Track: Firm
Time: :213 :432 1:062 1:12
$2 Mutuel Prices:
$1 Exacta: 12 – 11 Paid 68.60
$1 Trifecta: 12 – 11 – 2 Paid 459.80
Scratched: Kidding
— NS
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
