The Fritchie Stakes (Grade 2)- $300.000 Purse
LRL- For Fillies and Mares Four Years Old and Upward
Seven Furlongs on the Dirt
February 17, 2018

One of the best racing days on the calendar at LRL took place on Saturday, since purses were actually handed out. The Grade 2 Fritchie was one of those races, and it would be on by a filly that cashed a BC. Gottahotone, for Team 7 Illusions, continued her great run of form. One thing I did not mention in the preview that just caught my attention about her now, is that in now 23 starts, she has returned some type of check for her trainer in 22 starts. All but three of those races are a stake of some sort, so she has not been dropping down to get those results. Congratulations to the long time trainer, Team 7 Illusions, as he wins this stake for the first time, and that holds true for jockey L H Colon as well. The time of the win was 1:21.84, a middle of the road time when comparing it to prior editions of the race. Let’s take a look!

(1/4 Mile- :22.69)- Moon Diamond, running for Brave, would start a lot better then she would finish, jumping out to the early advantage, giving the few that bet on the 145/1 longshot momentary dreams of hitting it big. The eventual winner, Gottahotone, ran with her a little bit in the backstretch for Team 7 Illusions, but then opted to drop off by a couple lengths at about the time they hit the quarter mark. Temple Of The Brave, hoping to give Crocker Ggs another big win in a stake I covered over the weekend, kept pace with Moon Diamond, however. Running fourth and fifth would be Natural Zone (Mb Stables) and You Are My Sunshine (Stone Creek Stables), and they were each content to run in the middle of the field. It was another couple lengths to Threat (D J C Racing Stables). Then, several more back to Baby Goes To Rio, who is normally a closer for Aml Racing, but this was further back then she usually is.

(Top Of Stretch, 2F To Go)- We’ll skip the half-mile report, since that happens at a very close point in the race as hitting the top of the stretch. The half mile went in a time of :45.47, so there was no let up in the pace, but it would be run by a new leader. Temple Of The Brave, after running with Moon Diamond most of the way, claims the lead while in the turn. This seemed to be more of a result of Moon Diamond’s inability to sustain the pace, then Temple Of The Brave looking to take command of the race. Gottahotone, who continued to run a sensible stalking trip had now pulled even with Moon Diamond, and had just a length and a half to make up on the race leader. Natural Zone was looking to move up in the turn as well, and looked to make a three wide move in the stretch. You Are My Sunshine remained glued to the rail. At the back, Threat dropped back to join Baby Goes To Rio, instead of moving forward. Baby Goes To Rio had only made up a length and a half.

(Finish- 1:21.84)- Early in the stretch, Temple Of The Brave seemed like she was in good shape, but in the final furlong, Gottahotone began to inch a little closer. Temple Of The Brave was unable to respond to this challenge, and Gottahotone made the pass look rather easy. For Gottahotone, that was all she needed to worry about as there was no further pressure coming from behind her. Temple Of The Brave remained second, and it was two lengths back to a photo for third between You Are My Sunshine, getting the edge on Natural Zone. Another length back to Threat, just barely ahead of Baby Goes To Rio. At the end, Moon Diamond crossed the line where her odds suggested she might.

About The Winner- Gottahotone, trained by Team 7 Illusions and ridden by L H Colon, is a five year old mare by Sinister Insergent and out of Zooka. She was bred in West Virginia by Ollies as a second quarter two year old, and acquired by the current trainer in private sales last June for $277.770. Congratulations to the connections! The win is her ninth in 23 starts, her eighth stake win, but her first graded victory! Her career earnings are now $849.320.

Track: Fast
Time: :22³  :45²  1:09¹  1:21⁴

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 5 – 3 Paid 10.30
$1 Trifecta: 5 – 3 – 1 Paid 292.40

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES