Valdale Stakes
6 1/2 furlongs Dirt Stake Purse $250.000 Three-Year-Old Fillies. At TP

1st      Game The System                Arindel               7-1 (HRP) 6-1 (SRF)

I said Arindel sees something here, and by golly he did. He claimed Game The System from Diablo Diablo for $25.000 and immediately placed her in this stakes race, and she promptly scored a three-quarter length win. So, now we all se what he saw in this young filly. If only we saw how he saw it. She showed her usual speed out of the gate and had a clear lead by the backstretch and fought her way home for a gallant win. That’s four wins out of seven starts, but that sure doesn’t explain how Arindel knew a $25,000 claim was going to win a $125.000 stakes race.

2nd      Boardwalk Freak                    Noblepark               *9-5 (HRP) 8-1 (SRF)

I mentioned in my preview that Boardwalk Freak was taking that big step up winning a maiden race and going straight into a stakes race. I considered that too big a chance to take. HRP, on the other hand, disagreed and made her the favourite, and she almost pulled it off. The timing was just a bit off for her trailing position to allow her to sweep to the front and win the race. As it was, she fell three-quarters short of grabbing the win.

3rd      Diana            D J C Racing Stables                        3-1 (HRP) 3-1 (SRF)

Both HRP and I expected Diana to be the bridesmaid in this race. Ironically, I said if the speed didn’t set up right for her, she would finish third. Looks like the speed didn’t set up right for her. Another nice race for her, though.

4th      Deadmans Party                         Axeman                6-1 (HRP) *2-1 (SRF)

I thought that last race set Deadmans Party up for a win here, but alas, ‘twas not to be. She looked like the winner at the top of the stretch, but those closers put an end to her dreams.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded