The Ali – GIII
4/13/19
KEE Race 3 1 1/8M – Dirt
Purse $200.000
Four Year Olds and Up

1st Graceful, trained by Nakamura Stables

Claimer turned graded stakes winner right here with this big win. He sat right behind the leader early on and was in a very nice spot and then hit the lead at the top of the stretch. He was in and had to hold off the charge of the second place finisher by a nose. He ran the race in 1:47.94 and earned $120.000 for the win.

2nd Snakie Authorization, trained by Barcelona Farms

Well only a nose difference separated this horse from remaining undefeated. He was about in the middle of the field early on and then came with a nice run down the lane and I thought for a second he might get up for the win but he was just held off by a nose. He is a lightly raced horse and should improve off of this.

3rd What The Farley, trained by YME Stable

Well now this horse ran a very good race considering how far back he was early on. He was next to last about seven lengths behind the leaders early on but he came with a very nice run down the stretch. He ran very good to only get beat a length after being that far back early on.

3rd Cannes Farley, trained by RNP Stables

A dead heat for third with both of the runners with Farley in their name as this horse was also only beaten a length by the winner. He sat about midpack early on and was not too far behind. He made a nice run down the stretch also and was only beaten by a length in the end.

Summary

A very close finish to this years Ali as only a nose separated the top two. I did think Snakie Authorization was going to get up to stay undefeated but Graceful sure was very brave and fought him off to hold on by a nostril. Congratulations to Graceful and Nakamura Stables on the win.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES