3  AQU    The Discovery Handicap (GIII)

         $200.000      1 1/8m        Dirt          Hcp Weights

Upset was the name of the game in the 2019 Discovery Hcp (GIII) at AQU on Saturday.  Sent off as the 50/1 outsider, Nakamura Stables’ Hindenburg Tour got the best of a photo finish, winning by a neck in a final time of 1:48.10 for the mile and an eighth distance, on the main track.

The field of six got away from the gate in good order with Hindenburg Tour getting out to an early advantage, Mercedes Benz from the outside, Brady Is A Lady next to that one, then down along the rail to Gran Z, Long Term Investment next to him and Dab Ney was the early trailer.

Around the clubhouse turn and onto the backside, Mercedes Benz raced up to take the lead by two lengths.  Hindenburg Tour tracking that one, then a gap of three back to Brady Is A Lady, Gran Z another length back on the rail, Long Term Investment next to that one and three wide, and Dab Ney still under a snug hold.

Now into the far turn and just three and a half furlongs to run, Mercedes Benz maintaining the two length advantage.  Hindenburg Tour skimming the rail in a stalking position, then a gap of three back to a lineup of Long Term Investment from the outside, Gran Z on the rail and Brady Is A Lady between that pair, as Dab Ney continued to trail.

Into the home stretch and nearing the furlong marker, Mercedes Benz continuing to lead by a length but drifted three wide as Hindenburg Tour cut the corner.  Gran Z being asked for more from the rail, Long Term Investment widest of all, Brady Is A Lady still between that pair and Dab Ney had a ton of work to do.

Deep stretch and to the finish, Mercedes Benz was getting tired fast and the field was closing in quickly and as they hit the wire it was horse hair and dirt as the PHOTO sign went up.  After viewing the instant video replay the stewards saw that Hindenburg Tour took the win by a neck with Gran Z in second, another neck in front of Mercedes Benz.  Brady Is A Lady was nosed out of the show spot and was fourth, a half length in front of Long Term Investment, and Dab Ney just didn’t have anything on this afternoon, and closed it out.

Hindenburg Tour is a 3yo altered son of Bold Ransom – Pearl Belle, by Bluff Oyster, and he was bred in NY by his owner, Nakamura Stables.  This was his fourth win, third this season, and the first stakes victory for this bay.  He now shows earnings of $219.620.  Congratulations to Nakamura Stables and Hindenburg Tour

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Fast   Time: :48   1:11³  1:35³  1:48$1
Exacta: 5 – 1 Paid 706.90          $1 Trifecta: 5 – 1 – 6 Paid 1,029.40
Scratched: None

Categories: Grade III