Gleaming Spirit Will Shine Into BC After KD Turf Sprint Win

By Nynl Stables on September 8, 2019

KD Turf Sprint (Grade 3) (BC)- $700.000 Purse
KD- For Three Year Olds and Upward
Six Furlongs on the Turf
September 7, 2019

Gleaming Spirit was working exceptionally well coming into the KD Turf Sprint, repeatedly registering bullet works. He came into the race winning thee of four, and had all the looks of a horse that should be one of the favorites. We made him the second choice in the field, giving the nod to last year’s winner, The Grandmaster. After six furlongs, Gleaming Spirit backed up those works, and will be back in the BC Turf Sprint this year, hoping to better last year’s fifth place finish. He is trained by Mb Stables, and it’s the second time he has won this race, also doing so in 2016 with Engaging. Jockey J R Velazquez is also now a two time winner; his prior win was in 2017 with Spicy Ball. The time of the race was 1:08.23, and it was the first time this race was run at exactly six furlongs. Let’s take a look!

(1/4 Mile- :22.43)- Great Bounty is pushed out to the lead in a fairly strong manner for trainer Drabfantasy, and he has an early challenger to his outside in the form of The Duke Of Phooey, from the duke of the turf, Maxmillion Farm. Last year’s winner, The Grandmaster, runs right between them, half a length behind for John Henry. Longshot Siberian Prince runs fourth, just off the lead, but a tad ahead of the pack. Hobo In The Lane (Crocker Ggs) and By Design (Mb Stables) were side by side on the rail, and in the same spot on the outside would be Salili (Nakamura Stables). Awesome Indeed (TwinTowersRacing) was nearby as well. Next would come our eventual race winner, Mb Stables’ Gleaming Spirit. He ran in the fourth lane, and was four and a half lengths from the front. He was followed by Flooded (Estero Farms) and Im Special (Jkk Racing Stables). It was further back to No Childe Of Mine (Our Athletes) and Overhauled (Gdp Inc).

(½ Mile- :44.89, Top OF Stretch 2F To Go)- The pace of the race continues to be quick, but as we move around the long turn, we don’t see any real movement coming forth in the field. Great Bounty and The Duke Of Phooey are still at the front and remain heads apart. The Grandmaster had a great lane for the stretch and the trainer had to be happy at this point of the race with his track position just as long as he didn’t wear himself out a little too much. Behind them, not much had changed. Gleaming Spirit ran eighth now, and still had about four lengths to make up. Several horses were in a good spot here, but who would it be to prevail in the stretch?

(Finish- 1:08.23)- With a furlong to go, things were getting quite intense. Gleaming Spirit was making his move, but for now it appeared as though Siberian Prince was trying to throw up a block on him. This forced Gleaming Spirit over a lane, but still had Salili to contend with to his outside. Great Bounty and The Duke Of Phooey were trying to hang on still, and The Grandmaster was unable to power his way through them. Further back, Im Special had a good run coming, but ran into a wall. In the closing strides, Gleaming Spirit showed tremendous heart to get up for the win, and if he shows that in the BC, he will improve on that fifth place finish. Siberian Prince made it tough, and settles for second. The Grandmaster settles for a third place dead heat with a horse he probably never even saw all race due to being on the outside, in Salili. Overhauled ran well late, but it was all for not in a fifth place finish. It’s a cluster behind him, as the official finishing order then reads, Great Bounty, Im Special, By Design, The Duke Of Phooey, Hobo In The Lane, Flooded, No Childe Of Mine, and Awesome Indeed.

About The Winner- Gleaming Spirit, trained by Mb Stables, and ridden to victory by J R Velazquez, is a five year old gelding by General Motors, and is out of Hand Picked. He was bred in California by the trainer as a yearling, and they have been together throughout! Congratulations to the connections! The win is his 13th in 26 starts, his seventh stake win, and his third graded win. Win #13 is his biggest score to date, and his career earnings are now $1,106.900.

Horse Name

Owner Name

Jockey

Odds

Fin

Time

SRF

Gleaming Spirit

Mb Stables

Velazquez J R

7.10

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