May 1st 2015  Post Time 5:30

RACE 7 CD    Alysheba (GII)

$400.000   4yo&Up   1  1/16m    Dirt

Nothing like picking a winner… and Sanny Village’s Mister Major was quite the winner in the 2015 Alysheba (GII).  Get in front and improve position… exactly what the 7yo chestnut did in this one, going under the wire in front by five lengths in a final time of 1:40³ for the mile and a sixteenth.  Forever Steel was second, and long-shot Blown and Left got the show money, setting off a $1,444.20 trifecta.     

The field of six got away from the gate with Forever Steel fastest away from the gate.  Mister Major right along side that one, Blown And Left from the rail Twisted Estate on his flank Northern Charger just behind that one and Dogs Infowarrior was away slowest of all.

Around the clubhouse turn and onto the back stretch, six furlongs to run, and Mister Major grabbed the rail and the lead.  Forever Steel three wide and a half length back, Twisted Estate between that pair.  A gap of three back to Northern Charger, Blown And Left under a snug hold to his inside and Dogs Infowarrior still at the back and five lengths from the leader.

The field made their way past the track kitchen and into the far turn, three and a half furlongs to run and Mister Major was now in front by a length and a half.  Forever Steel continuing to track that one, Twisted Estate three lengths from the front in third, two more back to Northern Charger, Blown and Left still hugging the rail and a length behind that one, and Dogs Infowarrior still trailed, seven lengths from the front end.

Around the turn and into the lane, the went past the three-sixteenths pole and this was not IF Mister Major was going to win – but by HOW MUCH!  Now moving out to a three length lead he was pushing away from this group with every stride.  Forever Steel doing his best and a clear second, Twisted Estate two more back, Northern Charger down the center, Blown And Left now given the go and Dogs Infowarrior could still see them all, eight lengths covering the field.

Inside the final 150-yards and to the finish, this was all about Mister Major as he cleared the field by five and went under the wire as much the best.  Forever Steel held sway for the place, and 40/1 shot Blown And Left out-finished the rest for the third spot.  Northern Charger got the minor money, then Dogs Infowarrior in fifth and Twisted Estate closed this one out.

Mister Major is a 7yo gelding by Mr. Feelgood – Major Barbara by Hennessy, and he was bred by Dynark Stables in NJ.  Purchased in the Mar 14 Auction for $150.000, the old boy still has what it takes and now has ten wins from thirty-two starts, and earnings of $1,581.200.  His final time equaled the stakes record, set by Bcc War Eagle back in the 2012 running of this GII event.  Congrats to Mister Major and Sanny Village.

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Fast       Time: :24   :47⁴  1:10⁴  1:40³ **Equals Stakes Record**
$1 Exacta: 5 – 4 Paid 19.00       $1 Trifecta: 5 – 4 – 1 Paid 1,444.20
Scratched: None

Categories: Grade II