5/1/2020
CD 2 Edgewood (GII)
$300.000 3yoF 1 1/16m Turf 122lbs
It was good to get the handicapping crew back together and my cohorts were on top of the winner here. In a day that saw many a close race, the Edgewood (GII) did not disappoint as five lengths covered the field and Forty Chai, trained by Estero Farms, stayed just in behind the pace, pushed forward into the lane and battled to the finish, winning by a neck in a final time of 1:40.44 on the CD turf course, labeled as firm. Unmistakable was second a neck betterthan the dead-heat duo of Pirate Petranella and Goblin Judge in third.
The field loaded in front of the grandstand were away from the gate in good order with Pirate Petranella away quickest of all, Pada on her outside, Beggars Benison and Unmistaeable on her inside. Drop down to the hedge for Forty Chai, Slipdamaloo next to that one, Sweetness just in behind that pair, the Goblin Judge, Lettuce Party and Too Scared To Party was the early trailer.
Around the clubhouse turn and now five and a half furlongs to run, Prada in front by a neck with Pirate Petranella on her inside. A gap back to Beggars Benison galloping along behind that pair, Forty Chai continuing along the hedge, Unmistakable on her flank, then a length back to Skipdamaloo saving ground, Sweetness between horses with Lettuce Party three wide, the a gap to Too Scared to Party and Goblin Judge was now at the rear.
They made the run down the backside and were now midway on the far turn as the went past the five-sixteenths pole, Pirate Petranella now in front by a half length with Prada on her outside as this pair traded turns on the front end. Unmistakable sweeping up three wide with Forty Chai still maintaining that rail position. Beggars Benison just in behind that pair, then a gap of two back to Sweetness, Slipdamaloo on her inside, Lettuce Party, Goblin Judge now four wide and Too Scared To Party at the back of the field.
Into the lane and at the furlong marker, we had four lined up for the charge home… Pirate Petranella in front by a neck, Unmistakable down the center of the track, Forty Chai now off of the rail and moving forward and Prada next to her. A gap of two back to the threesome of Gobline Judge, widest of all, Sweetness and Beggars Benison between that pair… the others had a lot of work to do and a short time to get it done.
Deep stretch and to the finish… Forty Chai now with a head in front, Unmistakable not going away, Pirate Petranella trying to find more from the hedge and Goblin Judge now full of run down the outside as Sweetness tried to find more… but as they hit the wire, this was all about Forty Chai as she hit the wire in front by a neck over Unmistakable. It was another neck back to Pirate Petranella who could not be separated from Goblin Judge and we had a dead-heat for the show. Sweetness was a half length back in fifth, then Too Scared To Party sixth, Prada tiring to be seventh, Slipdamaloo in eighth, Beggars Benison in nine and Lettuce Party was last in the field of ten.
Forty Chai is a 3yo bay filly by Forty Two – Shoot For Chai, by Chai Latte, and she was bred by her owner, Estero Farms, in NY. This was her fifth win from ten starts, he fourth win in a row and she she now has earnings of $447.600.
$2 Mutuel Prices:
| 1 – Forty Chai | 14.30 | 7.70 | 4.10 |
| 5 – Unmistakable | 10.20 | 5.70 | |
| 7 – Pirate Petranella (DH) | 4.20 | ||
| 10 – Goblin Judge (DH) | 2.70 |
Track: Firm Time: :231 :462 1:094 1:402
$1 Exacta: 1 – 5 Paid 76.00 $1 Trifecta: 1 – 5 – 7 Paid 781.50, 1 – 5 – 10 Paid 391.20
Scratched: Kiwi Sunshine, Reminisce
Forty Chai saved ground while just in behind the pace, move to the two path into the lane and responded well when asked, won driving. Unmistakable raced mid-pack while never far from the leader, battled through the lane but could not keep pace with the winner. Pirate Petranella broke alertly to lead early, ceded then regained the lead in mid-stretch, out finished while in a dead-heat for the show. Goblin Judge sat well off of the early pace, began to inch forward through the far turn, full of run late while finishing in a dead-head for the show. Sweetness reserved early, some late gain while no threat. Too Scared To Party taken back, trailed into the lane, passed tiring rivals. Prada on or near the pace to the top of the lane, folded. Slipdamaloo reserved, inside position, outrun. Beggars Benison sat just behind the early pace, tired. Lettuce Party was not involved.
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
