Coming to this event off a Grade II victory in the Santa Margarita, Misty Firefox ( Crocker Ggs ) ran an almost identical race here at Belmont in the Gr, I Phipps, and now she has cashed her ticket for the BC Distaff in November.

• The Phipps Stakes ( Gr. I ) Purse $700.000
• Belmont Park- For Fillies and Mares Four years old and Up
• eight and one half furlongs- Main Track
• June 8th, 2019

The four year old bay filly has definitely found her mark in her past two Graded events, and that is probable due to the ability of her trainer placing the right instructions with her jockey Bejarano. Completely comfortable to sit three wide off the rail down the backstretch behind the early dueling pair of Sports Check ( Estero Farms ) and D J C Racing Stables Starlite Run. She would start to tighten up this group of five coming round the far turn, and then like someone actually lit a “Fire” under her, she would hit the top of lane furthest from the rail and in an all out battle with Starlite Run.

After grabbing the lead with a furlong to run, she would open up to a two length advantage by the wire ahead of Jinxed Queen ( Joshua Stables ) who drafted off Starlite Run to her outside and nipped that one at the line.

For trainer Crocker Ggs, while the stable would find a majority of its success with victories coming out of thoroughbreds like Temple Of The Brave and Commanding Faith, it was Misty Firefox back in May of 2018 that won this trainers first Grade I victory in the Kentucky Oaks with a $600.000 paycheck. Later that same month at some 65-1 odds, Commanding Faith would go on to claim the Gr. I Gamely. Crocker seems to have a knack to strike when the iron is hot, and he seems an expert at how to pick the right event to make his entries shine. Outstanding job!!!

For Jinxed Queen, if this 16-1 post time odds runner would have just sparked a light a bit earlier into the far turn, this probably would have been a stellar photo finish at the wire. Let us not forget that she only just arrived with this trainer 15 days prior to this race, and if knowing Joshua and his ability to produce at the tote, this filly is in for a long lovefest in the future.

Third place finisher Starlite Run has been a reward for her backers. Winning six straight events brought home a lot of smiles in the past. Its just been these last two events that have seen her fade slightly in the latter stages, and maybe her trainer would like her to go longer, but her talents seem to be in the sprint category.

The final share was awarded to Too Much Wisdom ( Mb Stables ) who was trying to make the most in the early going of this affair, but just some stronger late closers put a dampener on her parade today. No doubt she will bounce back in one of her next two races.

As far as the Pickem contest was concerned, 22.5 percent of the handicappers put their faith in Ineffable ( TwinTowersRacing ), myself included. She would stay some four lengths out throughout this whole event, and finishing placing eighth as the post time favorite.

Track: Fast 
Time: :23²  :47  1:10³  1:41¹

$2 Mutuel Prices: 

$1 Exacta: 7 – 6 Paid 923.10 
$1 Trifecta: 7 – 6 – 12 Paid 1,412.70 

Duffer

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES