The 20th Running of the G3 WV Governors Stakes
Saturday, August 6, 2022
MNR Race #16 $200.000
3+ 118/123 Lbs (plus penalties) 11/16
Track Record-1:41.01 (All Out Bark-2021)
Stakes Record-1:41.05 (Flamenco Beach-2018)
On a dreary, rainy Saturday at MNR, He Needs A Manzillian finally kicked down the graded stakes’ door as he splashed his way to a one-length victory in the G3 WV Governors Stakes. Although he opened a substantial lead by the head of the lane, the Mo Mentum Farm-trainee did just enough late to keep Walk Naked at bay as he crossed the wire in 1:46.53 over a course listed as sloppy.
Breaking from the outside in the seven-horse field, He Needs A Manzillian found himself caught three-wide in the first group behind Ronaldo Chop through an opening quarter in :23.84. He was able to get to the two-path shortly after entering the backstretch and steadily increased the pressure on the leader as they approached the final bend after a half went in :48.26.
He Needs A Manzillian made an authoritative move midway on the turn to grab the lead and by the time he passed three-quarters in 1:13.26 he looked every bit a winner. He increased his advantage to almost four lengths by the midway point of the stretch and that was when Walk Naked decided to make his move. Moving best of all through the final stages, Walk Naked would get to within a length of He Needs A Manzillian, but the wire came at just the right time for the mount of M. Murrill. Walk Naked was a clear second, with Oleg 3.5-lengths behind in third. Ronaldo Chop, Wrangler, Electile Dysfunction, and Real One completed the order of finish. The winner improves to 37-6-8-8 with earnings of $476.180.
Congratulations to He Needs A Manzillian and Mo Mentum Farm on their victory in the G3 WV Governors Stakes.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
