7/23/22

   6   MTH     The Haskell (GI)

$1,000.000    3yo       1 1/8m   Dirt    3yo 123lbs

Is this the year of the claim?  Gdp Inc dropped a $30.000 tag on Positive Id back in March and the rest, as they say, is history… the black gelding put himself in the history books on Saturday, stalking the pace throughout The Haskell (GI), then getting up in the shadow of the wire for a HUGE win, getting home first by a head.  The final running time for the classic mile and an eighth was 1:47⁴ on the fast MTH oval.  Mr Pancake opened a clear lead and tried to make it last, but was caught late, settling for the second spot.  Changing Times closed from far back, his usual style, and took the show money, with System Shock just a half length behind that one.  Five lengths covered the field in this closely matched stakes. 

Ten to the starting gate for this one and away in good order with Mr Pancake on the early gas, Hot Dog from the outside applying pressure, then the trio of Positive Id from the rail, Distorted Reasoning between horses and Up In Smoke from the outside, a gap back to Save His Soul on the outside of All Take, then the trailing trio of Changing Times between System Shock from the rail and Ocean Of Wisdom on his outside.

Around the clubhouse turn and nearing the backstretch, Mr Pancake with a comfortable lead, Hot Dog not letting him get too far in front, down to the rail for Positive Id, a clear third.  Then a pack that included Distorted Reasoning, Up In Smoke towards his outside, All Take towards the inside, then Ocean Of Wisdom caught widest of all, back towards the rail for Save His Soul, Changing Times on his flank and a gap to the trailer, System Shock.

The field made the run down the backside and were moving into the far turn with three furlongs to run, Mr Pancake making every call a winning one, Positive Id now a clear second as Hot Dog moved backwards, Distorted Reasoning now moving up on his outside, back towards the rail for All Take, Up In Smoke caught wide with Ocean Of Wisdom wider yet, down to the rail for System Shock, Save His Soul between horses, then Changing Times three wide and the back marker.

Move around the far turn and into the lane, they were nearing the furlong marker and Mr Pancake was still a clear leader… Positive Id closing the gap a bit, then a gap back to a trio that included Hot Dog between horses, All Take to his inside, Distorted Reasoning on his outside with a clear shot, then a gap back to the trailing five-some of System Shock, Up In Smoke, Ocean Of Wisdom, Changing Times and Save His Soul.

Deep stretch and to the finish, Mr Pancake’s lead was evaporating like beer in the grandstand… Positive Id coming at him with every jump, and now Changing Times emerged from the pack and was making a late push… but this was a two horse race to the finish line and as they hit the wire, it was a bang-bang finish with Positive Id getting home by a clear head.  Mr Pancake was a tough-beat second with a length back to Changing Times in third.  System Shock also made a bit of a late gain to take the minor share then a length back to Distorted Reasoning in fifth, All Take sixth, Hot Dog tiring to be seventh, Up In Smoke eighth, post time favorite Ocean Of Wisdom a disappointing ninth and Save His Soul closed this one out.

Positive Id is a 3yo black gelded son of Positive Reason – Jackie, by Forty Two, and he was bred in KY by Factions.  As mentioned, Gdp Inc claimed this one back in March for $30.000 and this is his third straight win for the new connections.  He now has lifetime earnings of $726.760.  Congrats to the Connections!

 6   MTH     The Haskell (GI)
    $1,000.000    3yo       1 1/8m   Dirt    3yo 123lbs

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Positive Id – 3yo bl. g. (KY) Positive Reason – Jackie, by Forty Two
Owner – Gdp Inc        Breeder – Fractious
Track: Fast     Time: :47¹  1:10⁴  1:35¹  1:47⁴
$1 Exacta: 1 – 5 Paid 141.60     $1 Trifecta: 1 – 5 – 4 Paid 1,432.20
Scratched: Individuation

Positive Id rated behind the pace, ground saving trip, engaged leader at the sixteenth pole, prevailed in a long drive.  Mr Pancake sent from the gate setting the pace throughout, engaged at the sixteenth marker, gave way grudgingly final strides.  Changing Times taken well off of the pace trailing into the lane, fanned six wide for the drive, best foot too late.  System Shock outrun to the far turn, responded when asked, closed a late gap on the inside.  Distorted Reasoning mid-pack into the lane, moved up with a furlong to run, flattened late.  All Take rated to mid-pack saving ground, no excuse.  Hot Dog pressed the pace to the top of the lane, tired.  Up In Smoke raced mid-pack to the lane, tired.  Ocean Of Wisdom wide trip, never involved.  Save His Soul was outrun. 

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES