4 SA Irish Stakes
$100.000 4yo&Up F&M 5 1/2f Turf 123lbs
Well, it looks like we all knew who was going to win this one. The old adage of get in front and improve position from there was the name of the game for Grand Cyclone as the bay fill jumped the break and showed her flashy tail to the field in the Irish Stakes, winning by a comfortable length in a final time of 1:043 for the five and a half furlongs. Growling In The Wind tried to make it a race over the soft SA turf, but had to settle for
second, with Lewis Bay bringing home third money.
Away from the gate in good order and Grand Cyclone was away well, Growling In The Wind to her inside and giving chase, a gap back to Half Set, Lewis Bay tucked inside of that one and Love In Venice was away slowest of all.
Down the hill-side, crossing over the main track and back on to the turf with five sixteenths left to run, Grand Cyclone continued to lead by a length and a half. Growling In The Wind continued to track the leader then a long gap back to Half Set, Lewis Bay continued to save ground and Love In Venice still at the back of the field.
Past the sixteenth pole and headed to the finish, Grand Cyclone was running them into the ground and continued with a clear lead. Growling In The Wind was not finished yet, trying to press forward as Lewis Bay and Love In Venice were set down for the drive. But as they hit the wire, this was all about Grand Cyclone and she took the win by a length. It was a three horse photo for the minor money with Growling In The Wind holding on by a nose. Lewis Bay was a nose better than Love In Venice for the show purse and Half Set closed this one out.
Grand Cyclone is a 4yo bay filly by Grande Sournoise – Cyclonic, by Twisted Temple, and she was bred by Drabfantasy in Cal. Acquired by Maxmillion Farm via Private Sale for $20.000, she now shows three wins from four starts and earnings of $112.880. It looks like Max has another star in the barn and I look for this one to continue her fantastic start.
$2 Mutuel Prices:
| 4 – Grand Cyclone | 6.60 | 3.80 | 2.20 |
| 2 – Growling In The Wind | 5.40 | 2.50 | |
| 1 – Lewis Bay | 2.10 |
Track: Soft Time: :23 :46 :581 1:043
$1 Exacta: 4 – 2 Paid 14.20 $1 Trifecta: 4 – 2 – 1 Paid 51.60
Scratched: None
Grand Cyclone broke on top, continued to lead throughout, won driving while unchallenged. Growling In The Wind chased the leader from an inside position, all out for the place. Lewis Bay rated back while saving ground, closed determinedly through the lane in a good effort. Love In Venice trailed until shaken, responded, best foot too late. Half Set raced mid-pack, tired.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
