The Notebook ($100.000 Purse)
AQU- For Two Year Olds Foaled in NY
Six Furlongs on the Dirt
November 14, 2020

If you have been following the private sales transactions over the past several days, you know that Smokey Stover has been spending quite a bit of money to acquire some excellent horses. In the sixth running of the Notebook, he would get a little bit of that back (pennies in comparison, perhaps) as his two year old, Galapagos, picked up the win. The State Police gelding was one of our top three picks, and in fact we did hit the boxed trifecta in the preview. Not that it was anything all that great, as for the most part, this race went in a similar manner as we thought possible. For Smokey Stover, and jockey M Franco, it is their first win in the Notebook. Congratulations to them! Franco has become the regular rider for Galapagos, doing so now in three of his five starts. The race was won in a time of 1:09.56, which is similar to other recent editions. Let’s take a look!

(¼ Mile- :22.72)- Bigmouth Raj, who was unexpectedly bet down to be the second choice on the board, would jump out to the early lead for Night Rider Stables, and shadowing him to the inside was the favorite, Leas Chance, trained by Mb Stables. A length behind him would be Accountant, from D J C Racing Stables. After the rather orderly positioning of the top three, we would get to our back, which was headed by our eventual winner, Galapagos, from Smokey Stover. He was in the middle of three wide, half a length ahead of Absolution (La Canada Racehorses) on his inside, and Neo (Arindel) to his outside. Special Diplomat (D J C Racing Stables) was in close proximity to them as well. Go back three lengths after them, and you find the trailer, Werked Up (Serenity Stables).

(½ Mile- :45.62, Top Of Stretch, 2F To Go)- A good battle emerges at the front of the field as both Leas Chance and Bigmouth Raj go at one another, running side by side. Their lead is almost a full two lengths as Accountant keeps pace, but does not look to join them at the front for now. Within the turn, Neo made an advance on the outside, and is within half a length of Accountant for third. Galapagos had not yet made a move, continuing to run in the middle of the field, trailing the leaders by a little more than three lengths. He would likely be looking to split both Accountant and Neo when he decided it was time to run. Absolution and Special Diplomat continued to run with him, while Werked Up had the best seat in the house to watch it all.

(Finish- 1:09.56)- In the stretch, that battle at the front between Leas Chance and Bigmouth Raj looked to take its toll a bit on each of them as they got closer to the wire. Both Accountant and Galapagos began making their best progress towards the end of the stretch run. Galapagos looked good late, finding that opening to the outside of Accountant and being able to pass him just time to get this win a close photo. Leas Chance was a little less tired than Bigmouth Raj at the line, and prevails for show. Absolution pulled to within a length or so, but never threatened for better than fifth. Neo is sixth, over Special Diplomat as neither got involved. Werked Up ran last throughout.

About The Winner- Galapagos, trained by Smokey Stover and ridden to victory by M Franco, is a two year old gelding by State Police, and is out of Moonlight Bliss. He was bred in New York by Smokey Stover as a first quarter two year old, and they have been together throughout. Congratulations to the connections! The win is his second in five starts, and his career earnings increase to $125.480.

Track: Fast
Time: :22³  :45³  :57¹  1:09²

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 6 – 2 Paid 53.90
$1 Trifecta: 6 – 2 – 1 Paid 45.20

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded