The Suburban Handicap (Grade 2)- $700.000 Purse
BEL- For Four Year Olds and Upward
One Mile and One Quarter on the Dirt
July 7, 2018
In a strong field, Laffin Parrot looked like he would be one of the favorites, but he would have to be at his best. The competition level was high, but this gelding has always been able to be close to the front at the end. When he hasn’t won lately, he’s been within a length. In the Suburban, trainer Mo Mentum Farm knew he had to find a way to find that length, and it may have been in the tactics for the start of the race. In recent races, Laffin Parrot looked to come from off the pace, usually spotting the leaders five or six lengths. Today, he would be in the middle of the field, and keeping himself within a three length gap to the front (after an advance following the initial break). When it came time to run in the stretch, he still showed that stretch drive he is known for, and this time it was just enough to get a head up on Stranger to get the victory. It’s the first win in the stake for both the trainer, and the jockey, A A Gallardo. Congratulations to them! The time of the win was 2:00.46, the second quickest in stake history when the conditions were identical to the conditions here. Let’s have a look at how it went down!
(½ Mile- :46.11)- Up front, it’s the great Edwin Drood leading the way for Night Rider Stables. He shot right out of the gate, and quickly asserted himself in the lead, after putting away an early challenge. The advantage was nearly two lengths ahead of a stalking threesome. This consisted of American Ideal (Nakamura Stables) on the rail, Checking Me Out (Mb Stables) in the middle, and Captain Oats (Mb Stables) on the outside. Laffin Parrot, our eventual winner was next, about a length behind that threesome while running on the rail. He was not immediately strong out of the gate, but used the first part of the backstretch to advance his position well for trainer Mo Mentum Farm. Beside him, he had someone he’d be seeing next to him at the wire as well, as it would be Stranger, from D J C Racing Stables. Justin Credible (Maxmillion Farm) was in a three wide position, but a length or so behind them. Lord High Admiral (John Henry) was next on the rail, and the trailers would be Indian Chief (Mb Stables), Tekkers (Maxmillion Farm), Heez On Fire (Aml Racing), and Turn Ninnie (TwinTowersRacing). Turn Ninnie was particularly lethargic out of the gate, and that may have sealed his fate.
(3/4 Mile- 1:09.71)- This portion of the race did not really see any excitement. The entire field was content to hold their positions as the backstretch run concluded, and we moved into the turn. No one looked to be about to make a move either, but that would definitely be about to change as the rounded the turn, so let’s move on to that part.
(Top Of Stretch, 2F To Go)- If you told me that Laffin Parrot was about to win the race as they moved into the top of stretch, I wouldn’t have believed you. He was trapped behind a wall, all while Stranger, who had been running alongside him, was able to go into the fourth lane pretty easily, and be close to passing Edwin Drood for the lead. There were now two lengths separating these two. Stranger did everything right here, effortlessly moving over, and passing the trio of American Ideal, Checking Me Out, and Captain Oats, who all seemed to be glued together as they ran around the track to this point. Edwin Drood was still leading, but barely now, and it seemed inevitable that Stranger would take over the top spot. Meanwhile, Laffin Parrot seemed to have no where to go, as that three wide group of American Ideal and the two Mb horses were in his way, and Edwin Drood was on the rail. Room on the outside had disappeared, as the charge forward of Justin Credible, Indian Chief, and Tekkers had taken away the outside lane. All three of them were positioned well for a run. Lord High Admiral, Turn Ninnie, and Heez On Fire were all at the back of the pack.
(Finish- 2:00.46)- As the stretch run began, a slight opening was developing between Edwin Drood and American Ideal. A A Gallardo tried to squeeze Laffin Parrot through this very tight opening, and it was working out. With a furlong to go, he now had a clear lane, and it was time to show that stretch drive that he has been known for. Stranger was in front, but he had not put the field away D J C Racing Stables may have liked. His lead was a length and a half, and they were closing in on him. As they got closer and closer to the wire, it looked like Stranger would hold on, but in the dying moments of the race, he drifted ever so slightly, and in a tight photo for the win, it would be Laffin Parrot getting the edge on Stranger for the win. American Ideal finishes about a length ahead of a wall of horses to get the third spot, and he is to be credited for running a nice, consistent race. Edwin Drood holds off the closing Tekkers for fourth, and they were just slightly ahead of Checking Me Out. On the outside, its Indian Chief over Heez on Fire, Justin Credible, and a laboring Captain Oats. Turn Ninnie and Lord High Admiral finish out the field.
About The Winner: Laffin Parrot, trained by Mo Mentum Farm and ridden to victory by A A Gallardo, is a four year old gelding by the late Laugh In Private, and is out of the late Lucky Sell. He was bred in Ontario by Mb Stables as a second quarter two year old, and acquired by Mo Mentum Farm, via Nakamura Stables, in private sales for $100.000 in May 2017. Congratulations to the connections! The win is his fourth in 16 starts, and his second graded win, with a third win being the Queens Plate of 2017. His career earnings are now $1,517.920.
Track: Fast
Time: :46 1:093 1:343 2:002
$2 Mutuel Prices:
$1 Exacta: 2 – 4 Paid 265.90
$1 Trifecta: 2 – 4 – 1 Paid 1,394.90
Scratched: None
— NS
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
