The Prk – Grade I
1 3/16 Mile Dirt Stake Purse $1,500.000 Open 3 Year Olds.
1st Ginger Haggis, trained by The Sidley Stud
Well what a difference the draw makes. All my draw fears came true in this race as the KYD form was turned upside down reminding us once again that without a decent gate you may as well not bother in these big fields. Having said that it was great to see this fantastic horse win this race in such a dominant fashion and the only question that remains is that with an inside draw in the KYD would we have been looking forward to a triple crown bonus attempt in a few weeks. Drawn 17 in the KYD he dropped right out the back which of course is ‘B’ in the outside gate playbook and whilst he made ground could only manage tenth, eight lengths back. In this race drawn 2 he sat nicely just behind the speed picking them up down the stretch and winning by a very easy two lengths. Its great to see a BC Juvenile winner finally come good in a TC race and given a decent draw there is no reason this wonderful horse cant rack up the grade ones again and be a serious threat in the BC Classic.
2nd Ninety Forty Niner, trained by Serenity Stables
Seven lengths in front of Ginger Haggis in the KYD he ran a cracker that day closing hard for a close fourth. Today he sat much closer to the pace which was an inspired change of instructions but he had no answer to the BC Champ when they matched horns down the stretch. He has had two decent draws in two BC races now so i cant see him improving on this effort in the BEL but if he goes there he will once again be highly fancied to cash a cheque.
3rd They All Laughed, trained by Mb Stables
Ran a very similar race than he did in the KYD going back early on and storming through late. He made it too hard or himself today though getting right to the back early on and though he won the race of the closers he couldnt get to the on pace runners. A second and third in two of the TC races is fantastic though and of all the runners that have taken part in both he has been the most consistent.
4th Coin Flip, trained by Mb Stables
Ran the stalk after a fast start but tired down the stretch and ended up fourth. This was a very good effort for a horse that hadnt exactly been setting the world alight this year and whilst this was a good effort i think his future may lie over the mile.
5th Lord High Admiral, trained by John Henry
Got further back than he did in the KYD and could only stay on for fifth. The Rebel and AR Derby winner has just been a shade disappointing in his two TC efforts especially as today he was drawn so much better than the KYD.
6th Withdrawn, trained by John Henry
It was funny to see all three John Henry horses pretty much finish in a line, but i guess the trainer didnt find it as funny. Thrust into the lead by the wide gate speed push he was always going to weaken and he did exactly what was expected eventually finishing sixth. Compare this to his KYD effort where he was drawn 3 and you see the effect of the draw at HRP.
7th Made To Sin, trained by John Henry
It seems a long time ago when this one went to the top of everyones KYD reckoning when he won the Fountain of Youth by a very easy two lengths. Since then he has been a conundrum failing pretty miserably in three efforts. This was a better effort than his KYD race but he still never really got into it.
8th Out On A Limb, trained by Smokey Stover
Kept on pretty well after dropping right back out of the gate but never really got involved in the race.
9th Shootfromthehip, trained by Nakamura Stables
It was pie in the sky to hope that this great KYD winner could overcome the draw and win the second leg of the TC. A 12 length turnaround with the winner pretty much sums up the difference between an inside and an outside draw these days. Taken right back he had to run super wide to even get a run at the leaders and whilst he made up ground it was an impossible task after the first 100 yards of the race. I cant take anything away from him today and if he rests up well between now and the BEL there is no reason he couldnt, with a good draw, take two legs of this TC.
10th Mancini, trained by Our Athletes
Never showed up but was wide for most the trip.
11th Jolly Be Native, trained by Kopites
The Rebel winner never got into this race pretty much running in the same spot throughout.
12th Snow Peak, trained by Mb Stables
This filly who has been flying the finish in pretty much all of her races decided to do the opposite today. A very wide trip certainly didnt help her and you have to wonder whether this is the beginning of the end for last years horse of the year.
13th Slither, trained by Nightmare Racing
Was close enough again from a tough draw but found this trip beyond him again. A mile or less may see this one find the winners circle again.
14th How To Laff, trained by Kopites
Raced wide throughout and ended up last in poor effort considering his efforts in teh Gotham and the Wood Memorial.
SUMMARY
Well the Preakness threw up a memorable winner who thoroughly deserved his victory but looking at the two TC winners so far i cant help thinking that HRP has come down to where you draw in a race.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
