The Rampart (Grade 3)- $100.000 Purse
GP- For Fillies and Mares Three Years Old and Upward
One Mile on the Dirt
December 16, 2017

As the races begin to wind down, we can start to look at who may be some new contenders to do big things in 2018. You might want to add Ghost Landing to that list. So far in her career, she has been very successful, but has methodically been moved up the ranks by new trainer Nakamura Stables since purchasing her in the September auction. In her graded stake debut, she would be the best here in the 14th running of The Rampart, but with her improving form, the biggest stories for her may be yet to come. Congratulations to Nakamura Stables on a great job with her thus far, and to G Boulanger for the winning ride. For each, it is their first Rampart win. The time of the victory was 1:34.88, the quickest of the four editions of the race run at this distance. Let’s take a look at it!

(1/4 Mile- :23.96)- The quickest two out of the gate would be Mi Abuela Petra, from M.a.r. Racing, and the eventual winner, Ghost Landing from Nakamura Stables. These two pull out by a length early on, but they do end up getting joined by Mb Stables’ Island Fire just as they hit the quarter mark. Within a length, and very much in the early mix as well is Bold Deceiver, also from Mb Stables. Stalking in close company are ridiculously high longshot My Little Bubba (Mo Mentum Farm) and Set In Stone (Smokey Stover). Even they are within a length and a half. Only Tunn Up (Spooky Racing) was not close early.

(½ Mile- :47.63)- The second quarter mile is particularly interesting because of Island Fire. She had been looking to make her move to the lead, and she emphatically takes control of the race in the backstretch. No longer are the top six separated by a length and a half, as Island Fire has opened up by about two and a half. The battle for second is pretty much how it was before with Bold Deceiver, Mi Abuela Petra, and Ghost Landing running three wide (from inside to outside). My Little Bubba remained close, though Set In Stone dropped back a length or so. Tunn Up, who was actually the post time favorite for some weird reason, is still at the back.

(Top Of Stretch- 1.5F To Go)- Most of the way around the turn, there is little change except for Ghost Landing beginning to inch away from the two she had been battling for second with. As they approached the exit of the turn, this advance became stronger, and she was now just a length behind Island Fire. The pace setter seemed good most of the way around the turn, but now it looked like the lead was in trouble. Bold Deceiver and Mi Abuela Petra are still side by side, but neither are putting together a similar move. Set In Stone, My Little Bubba, and Tunn Up remained at the back, and still not looking like threats.

(Finish- 1:34.88)- In the stretch, Ghost Landing shows an impressive amount of determination. Island Fire was trying to hang on, but Ghost Landing made the pass look pretty easy, quite honestly. She wins in great form, driving hard to the wire. Second place Island Fire actually ran better to the wire that it may have seemed, and that showed in her holding on to second over Mi Abuela Petra, who put together a surge late. Bold Deceiver stays ahead of Set In Stone for the fourth place check. At the back, 833/1 longshot My Little Bubba tops your 5/2 favorite Tunn Up to stay out of last.

About The Winner- Ghost Landing, trained by Nakamura Stables and ridden by G Boulanger is a three year old filly by Lucky Landing and out of The Ghost General. She was bred in the great breeding state of Pennsylvania by John Henry as a third quarter two year old, and acquired by the trainer, via Australia Wide, in the September 2017 auction for $75.000. Congratulations to the connections! The win is her third in seven starts, and its her first graded victory. Her career earnings are now $160.910.

Track: Fast
Time: :23⁴  :47³  1:10⁴  1:34⁴

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 5 – 6 Paid 31.30
$1 Trifecta: 5 – 6 – 4 Paid 102.70

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES