Being one of the seven Stakes titles that trainer Mb Stables would earn on the day, his five year old bay gelding would prove his worth once again, walking away with this six and a half turf even at some better then seven to one odds.

• Daytona Stakes – Grade III Purse $100.000
• Santa Anita Park – For Four year olds and Upward
• Six and a half furlongs- Downhill Turf Course
• May 25th, 2019

Looking like he is well on his way this season with three starts, and a record of two wins and a third place finish, Gleaming Spirit has now pushed his career earnings to pass the five hundred mark, and a total of eleven wins in twenty three career starts. Instructions seemed identical to his performance in his victory in the Sensational Star, as he would be comfortable sitting just a few lengths back of the front runner John Henry’s Walkin Broomstick. Walkin Broomstick would post a fast 22 flat opening quarter, and get himself out in front by some three lengths ahead of Got What I Need ( Onlineracingclub.com ). Gleaming Spirit was another length back of him.

The half mile would go in 43.88 as the field was about to cross the main track surface. The top three positions all remained the same to this point, with Baie Baie ( Spankys Barn ) poised in fourth. Reuleaux ( Mb Stables ) and Bold God ( Riggins Racing ) would be fifth and sixth, another length back.

Starting to lose the stamina to maintain the pace, Walkin Broomstick was all about done at the five eights mark of the race, as Gleaming Spirit was closing quickly to her inside, and Baie Baie was making his move in the center of the track. Others like Fort Myers ( High Voltage ) and Captain Cuttle ( Rheigold Stables ) were finding a lane to put in their late running effort.

Doing everything in his power to fend off a field of talented runners, Gleaming Spirit would cross the line with a final time of 1:12.82, and giving his trainer back to back victories in the Daytona. For rider Bejarano, it would be his first ever Daytona victory.

Snatching up the place money would be a talented Baie Baie, who now has been best man in his past three efforts over this distance and surface. ” I just thought I left enough in him to get there in the final sixteenth, ” rider Van Dyke added following the race. ” I’m thankful for all the trust Spankys Barn has put in me for these past three events, and I hope i’m aboard when he does go back to the winners circle.” This duo have been together for all four of his runner-up efforts this season.

Rounding out the top three would be a late charging Fort Myer. Quite an impressive effort in not only his first stakes run, but a Graded one at that. Back in ninth at the opening quarter, veteran Smith worked him brilliantly through traffic and has now grabbed the attention of the handicappers of the game. Don’t think we will see 15-1 odds next time out.

In what I personally wasn’t expecting to see from fourth place finisher Captain Cuttle, a five year old who generally likes to be in the mix early and try to spoil the outcome. His trainer took a whole new path for this event, and even though he found himself widest of all down the lane, he put on a excellent show of strength late here. Public agreed with making him the post time favorite, and my hat is off to Rheingold for adjusting to his most widest post in his career.

Track: Firm 
Time: :22  :43⁴  1:07  1:12⁴

As for the handicappers challenge and this being our first ever event, Steel Eye Shafi predicted the $49.40 Exacta straight out, so he jumps in front with 18 points. I grabbed 10 points with the winner prediction, and Handicapper Hank earns 6 points with choosing the winner in the second placing.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES