8/28/21

   11    SAR     The Travers (GI)

$1,250.000      3yo     1 1/4m    Dirt             122lbs

I just had a feeling that Grayte Cruise was ready to pull the upset, and as Fractious mowed through many of the big stakes here at SAR on Saturday, The Travers (GI) may be the one he remembers most.  Sitting well off of the pace, the gray gelding unleashed a tremendous stretch drive that put him in front by a neck on the wire, for the biggest win of his eight race career.  The final running time was 2:01.16 and the entire field was covered in a three-length gap… every position was a close call.  Rowdy Rb, another that probably wasn’t on the tip of the tongue when they loaded into the gate, set the pace through much of this one, only to get caught late and had to settle for the place, a half length in front of Cheesy.  Howl Of The Hound looked poised for another big win, but came up a bit short in the late stages, tiring to be fourth after pushing the pace throughout.  Quick Response was a late scratch.

The field of nine loaded into the gate, the flag was up, and away in good order with Howl Of The Hound showing early speed, Booster towards his inside, a gap to Rowdy Rb, Sports Page on the outside of that one, then Proud Crown and Sunderland Til I Die between horses.  Then, a gap back to the trailing trio of Grayte Cruise, Just Wanna Blaze and Cheesy. 

They made their way around the clubhouse turn, a mile left to run and Booster up on the inside to take a short lead, Howl Of The Hound on his outside, Rowdy Rb just in behind that pair, Sports Page still on his flank, then a gap to Proud Crown on the outside of Sunderland Til I Die.  In behind that duo was Grayte Cruise on the rail, Just Wanna Blaze on his outside and Cheesy continued to be the back marker.

Now moving down the backside with four and a half furlongs to run, Rowdy Rb moved up out of the turn with a quick spurt to take the lead by two lengths.  Howl Of The Hound on the outside of Booster, now losing ground. Gap of two back to Sports Page, similar back to Sunderland Til I Die, Proud Crown on his flank, then a gap to Grayte Cruise still using an inside trip, Just Wanna Blaze three wide and Cheesy between them and still the trailer.

Swing around the far turn and into the lane, the run to the money was on and Rowdy Rb was clear of the field, leading by two.  The rest of the field was a length from each other with Howl Of The Hound leading that group, Sports Page on his outside, Booster on the inside.  Sunderland Til I Die was next, Proud Crown, Grayte Cruise between that pair, Just Wanna Blaze on the outside and Cheesy continued to trail this field.

Now inside the furlong marker and to the finish…  Rowdy Rb continued to lead, but Grayte Cruise flying at him on the inside, and Cheesy now making his patented late bid.  Howl Of The Hound was flattening out, and the rest had a lot of work to do and not much time to get it done… and as the neared the wire, this was a two horse showdown… Rowdy Rb, Grayte Cruise closing in… and in the final strides, Grayte Cruise moved up to take the lead and the win.  Rowdy Rb was a game second, just in front of the late closing Cheesy in third.  Howl Of The Hound held on for the minor money, then Proud Crown fifth, Sunderland Til I Die sixth, Just Wanna Blaze seventh, Sports Page eighth, and Booster closed this one out.   

Crayte Cruise is a 3yo gray gelding by Z Grayle One – Di Girli by Di Medici, and he was bred by Gdp Inc in Cal.  Acquired by Fractious via private purchase for $700.000 back in April of this year, he now shows four wins from eight starts, this being the first since the change in barns, and he now shows earnings of $1,253.000.  This was his second graded stakes score, also taking the Southwest back in Feb of this season.  As we head to DMR for the BC, it’s obvious that this is a horse in fine form and could make some noise.  Congrats to the connections!

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Fast               Time: :47³  1:11¹  1:35³  2:01
$1 Exacta: 1 – 3 Paid 46.00            $1 Trifecta: 1 – 3 – 7 Paid 574.80
Scratched: Quick Response

Grayte Cruise broke in hand, settled well off of the pace, used an inside trip to save ground, moved to 3p for the drive, split horses nearing the furlong marker, up in the final strides to nail the leader nearing the wire.  Rowdy Rb broke alertly, near or on the pace throughout, clear lane, caught in the final strides.  Cheesy trailed to the furlong marker, asked, responded, best foot too late.  Howl Of The Hound broke fastest of all, set/tracked the pace, no excuse, weary late stages.  Proud Crown mid-pack, lost some ground through the far turn, passed tiring rivals in the lane.  Sunderland Til I Die rated, saved ground, no excuse.  Just Wanna Blaze was no threat.  Sports Page tracked the pace, drifted lane, tired.  Booster tracked the pace to the far turn, tired from there. 

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES