8/21/21

   11   DMR     Pacific Classic (GI)   [BC]

$1,000.000    3yo&Up     1 1/4m  Dirt       3yo 120 lbs     Older 124 lbs

Using a relentless closing kick down the home stretch, Mb Stables’ Graveyard split horses at the top of the lane, moved past foes down the center of the track, hit the front end with a sixteenth of a mile to run and drew away late to take the Pacific Classic (GI) by a length.  The final running time was 2:00.54 for the classic mile and a quarter distance, over the DMR main track that was listed as Fast.  Gran Z, dispatched at a hard-to-believe 16/1 had the lead with a sixteenth to run, but just couldn’t hold off the winner, running another huge race and taking second, a length better than Big Bang Raj, another big closer, in third.  It was a neck back to Having A Blast who just nosed out Cherokee Twins for the minor money.  Seven lengths covered the field of eleven. 

The field of eleven made their way into the starting gate, located in the chute past the top of the lane, and were away in good order with the foursome of Market Value, Having A Blast, Obeah Mon and Gran Z showing good early lick.  Giving chase to that group was the trio of Intercontinental, Mad King between horses and War Chant on the outside.  Another gap to Graveyard between Cherokee Twins on the rail and Big Bang Raj on the outside, as Strider was off a step slow, and was the early trailer.

They moved under the wire the first time by, and headed around the clubhouse turn, now with six furlongs to run and Having A Blast was showing the way four wide, by a neck.  Gran Z towards his inside, Market Value along the rail and Obeah Mon in the two path, then a gap of two back to Intercontinental on the rail, Mad King on his flank, then a gap to War Chant on the outside of Graveyard, Cherokee Twins saving ground.  Another gap to Big Bang Raj and Strider continued to trail. 

Down the back-side and now moving into the far turn with three furlongs to run, Gran Z moved up to put a neck in front, Having A Blast still going along with that one as Market Value backed-up a bit.  A gap back to Obeah Mon, Intercontinental on his inside, Mad King three wide and War Chant on the outside of that one.  Another length to Cherokee Twins on the inside of Graveyard, then a length and a half to Big Bang Raj and Strider could still see them all.

Swing around the far turn and into the lane, Gran Z now in front by a length, Having A Blast wasn’t going away as Market Value was now three back of the leader from the rail.  Graveyard split horses and seemed to be moving fastest of all, War Chant on his outside, Mad King on his inside, Intercontinental with a clear path from the rail, Big Bang Raj now moving, widest of all, Obeah Mon going in the wrong direction, as was Cherokee Twins, and Strider continued to be the back marker.

Now inside the final sixteen and to the finish, Gran Z in front, Having A Blast still chased, but Graveyard was now flying down the center of the course, picking them off one-by-one.  Market Value trying to find more, as was War Chant, and Big Bang Raj showing late interest… the rest needed to get going if they wanted to be part of this one.  But as they neared the finish, this was all about Graveyard as he cruised right on by and went under the wire clear, while increasing the margin.  Gran Z gave a big effort and took the second spot, with the fast closing Big Bang Raj in third.  Having A Blast just nosed out Cherokee Twins for the minor money, then War Chant in sixth, Market Value seventh, Mad King eighth, Intercontinental ninth, Obeah Mon tenth and Strider closed this one out.

Graveyard is a 4yo chestnut entire by Bronx Bomber – Cobra Deth, by King Cobra, and he was bred by Aer Stables in NY.  Acquired by Mb Stables via Private Purchase for $120.000, prior to his racing career, he now has seven wins from twenty starts and lifetime earnings of $1,793.440.  Three of those victories have come this season, two graded wins this year, and he is certainly a horse that must be watched when we come back here for the BC Races this fall.  Congrats to the connections.       

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Fast          Time: :47⁴  1:11²  1:35²  2:00²
$1 Exacta: 4 – 6 Paid 45.40                    $1 Trifecta: 4 – 6 – 11 Paid 1,818.20
Scratched: None

Graveyard rated back to the far turn, began to advance, split horses into the lane, quickened through the stretch to take the lead at the sixteenth pole, won driving.  Gran Z forced the issue, took over into the lane, headed at the sixteenth pole, game effort.  Big Bang Raj out run to the top of the stretch, full of run through the lane, best foot too late.  Having A Blast set the pace to the lane, flattened out late.  Cherokee Twins rated back, passed tiring rivals.  War Chant one pace throughout.  Market Value on the pace to the furlong marker, stopped.  Mad King evenly, nothing left for the drive.  Intercontinental saved ground to no avail.  Obeah Mon chased the pace to the far turn, lost ground, tired.  Strider trailed throughout.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES, THE BREEDERS CUP