DMR Mile (Grade 2)- $200.000 Purse
DMR- For Three Year Olds and Upward
One Mile on the Turf
August 23, 2015

There was a field of five in this year’s running of the DMR Mile, including both Hulk Hogan and James Bond, but in the end a little faith in a claimer would be rewarded.  Finding Faith was claimed by Emerald Racing Inc on May 31st at MTH for $20.000, and he has not lost while running in the green and white silks.  This DMR Mile victory will represent the fourth win a row for Finding Faith, who had only previously won once in his eleven career starts.  In a race where the field seemed to be evenly matched, it was a surprise to see him go off at odds of 12/1, the second longest shot on the board, but those who found faith in him at the betting window have also been rewarded with this result.   It is the first career win in the stake for both trainer and jockey (M A Pedroza).   The winning time of 1:33.26 was one of the slower winning times recorded in the history of the stake, but don’t let that detract from what Finding Faith did today.  Let’s take a deeper look at it!

1st- 5- Finding Faith (12/1)- M A Pedroza wasn’t concerned at all with what they were doing at the front of the pack, as he rode the eventual winner patiently in the early going, trailing the field, but only about four to five lengths back.  As the field seemed to be content to run in a line in the backstretch with no one really making a move, Finding Faith was the first to make any kind of noticeable advancement.   He was three wide in the turn, and emerged only about a length back as they hit the top of the stretch.  While in full stride in the stretch, he made the passes of Beyondourgrasp and Hulk Hogan for the lead look easy when in fact, both of them were still running well the time, also.  Won while pulling away late, and takes the race by a length.  Finding Faith is a four year old colt by Bachata (by Worth Every Scent) and out of Court Tester, a mare with not much pedigree in her favor, otherwise.   He was bred in California by Thehorsestable, and has been with Emerald Racing Inc for four races.  Congratulations to all of the connections!

2nd- 4- Hulk Hogan (2/5)- All of the little Hulkamaniac’s in the stands surely were responsible for making Kingellinc’s entry such an overwhelming favorite.   He had them cheering early, starting well out of the gate and leading the field around the opening turn.  Set the opening quarter and half fractions in :23.13 and :46.27, respectively.  Continued to lead at the 3/4 mark, and put forth the kind of gritty effort in the stretch of not giving in that you would expect from a horse with this name.  While that was not enough to hold off Finding Faith, it made all the difference in him holding on to the second position.  At the top of the stretch it seemed to be a given that Beyondourgrasp was also going to get by.  Hard earned second.

3rd- 2- Beyondourgrasp (5/2)- Our pre-race pick got off to a rather uneventful mid-pack beginning.  Not much really went on with him during the run down the backstretch, maintaining a gap of 2-3 lengths from the lead, but not offering a challenge to the leaders.  In the turn, he finally began to advance, likely hearing the progress of Finding Faith behind him as his own motivation.  Ran very well in the turn, and as they entered the stretch it seemed as though it would come down to him and Finding Faith.  Beyondourgrasp’s trainer, Nakamura Stables, is probably a little disappointed that his horse could not complete the pass for second as it seemed as though the Hulkster was indeed, in his grasp the entire stretch run.

4th- 1- A Chrystal Brooklyn (22/1)- Next to last early for Aer Stables, about four lengths behind Hulk Hogan.  He maintained this position throughout the backstretch run, and when Finding Faith, who had been behind him, began to move, A Chrystal Brooklyn seemed content to still just ride along.    Late in the stretch, he began to look pretty good, but I really would have liked to see his run start earlier instead of being too little too late.

5th- 3- Bond James Bond (9/1)- The Night Rider Stables entry was quick out of the gate, and assumed a stalking position of the Hulkster throughout the entire first five furlongs, heading into the final turn.  Continued to stalk much of the way, but in the stretch he was not able to match the same kind of kick that his rivals had, and would settle for being last, ending an impressive run of top 3’s in his past performances.

Track: Firm
Time: :23   :46¹  1:09²  1:33¹

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 5 – 4 Paid 12.60
$1 Trifecta: 5 – 4 – 2 Paid 16.10

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade II