5/15/21

  14  PIM       The PRK (GI)

$1,000.000         3yo             1 3/16m         Dirt  126lbs 
              Preference to TC-PRK Qualifications

Complete domination!!  Those are the only words I can use to describe Howl Of The Hound’s performance in the 2021 PRK Stakes (GI), run here at PIM on Saturday evening.  It was almost like watching a workout with horses in the way – but nothing was going to get in his way, securing the second leg of the TC, as the Mb Stables owned gelding drew off to win by three lengths in a final time of 1:54.46 for the mile and three-sixteenths.  Now, it’s on to BEL and a chance at immortality.

Contradiction and War Chant, both conditioned by Aer Stables, ended in a dead-heat for the second spot, a head better than Sacred Order in fourth. 

Congratulations to Mb Stables! 

As expected, the gate was full and as they got away in good order, Invade the Storm showing speed from the outside, Plan to Wheel and Contradiction towards his inside.  The second flight included Viral Breakdown from the outside, War Chant and Tko between horses, Howl Of The Hound from the rail, just in behind that group Sacred Order saving ground early, then a gap to Baller Alert on the outside of Crack Danz and Princess Jasmine.  Another gap back to the trailing trio of Oleg, Grayte Cruise and Penalty Shot.

Now making their way around the clubhouse turn with six and a half furlongs to run, Contradiction scooting up the rail to take a three-quarters of a length lead.  Invade The Sun three  wide, Plan to Wheel between that pair, then a length and a half back to War Chant, Howl Of The Hound on his inside, Tko in the three path and Viral Breakdown towards the outside.  Another gap back to the trio of Sacred Order still saving ground, Crack Danz next to that one and Baller Alert on the outside of that pair.  Another length back to Penalty Shot, Oleg out wide, Princess Jasmine between them and Grayte Cruise was the trailer.

The field made their way down the back stretch and had a half mile to run, Contradiction had skipped away to lead by two, Invade The Storm trying to ensure that he didn’t get away from this field,  Plan To Wheel towards his inside, then another length back to Howl Of The Hound now beginning to advance, Tko with that one, War Chant between them and Viral Breakdown towards the outside.  Baller Alert caught even wider, then a gap back to Sacred Order, Oleg four wide, Crack Danz between that pair and back down to the rail to Penalty Shot.  Another gap, the trailing duo was Grayte Cruise and Princess Jasmine.

Now moving around the far turn and to the top of the lane, they flew past the three-sixteenths pole and in the blink of an eye, Howl Of The Hound moved quickly to join Contradiction.  It was two lengths back to Invade the Storm, War Chant towards his outside and now moving quickly, another length back to the trio of Sacred order, Plan To Wheel towards the inside and Tko out wide.  A gape back to Princess Jasmine swinging out widest of all for the drive Viral Breakdown joining that one, back towards the inside to Grayte Cruise, Crack Danz next to that one and back towards the outside to  Baller Alert, Penalty Shot towards the inside and Oleg was now the back marker. 

Deep stretch and to the finish… this wasn’t about who but by how much… Howl Of The Hound had opened a clear lead and was on cruise control to the finish and went under the wire clear by three widening lengths.  War Chant closed a late gap to finish in a dead-heat with stable-mate Contradiction, just a head in front of Sacred order.  Princess Jasmine closed a late gap to be fifth, Grayte Cruise nosing out Invade The Storm in sixth.  Tko was eighth, Plan to Wheel ninth, then Crack Danz tenth, Penalty Shot eleventh, Viral Breakdown twelfth, Baller Alert thirteenth, and Oleg closed this one out.

Howl Of The Hound is a 3yo black gelded son of Marry Me Mandy – Stop Traffic, by Laffin Policeman, and he was bred in NM by Jive Inc.  Acquired by Mb Stables at the June 2020 Auction for $27.060, he remains a perfect 8-for-8, and now has earnings of $3,226.000.  Can anyone beat him?  Tune in for the BEL in three weeks.  

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Fast     Time: :47³  1:11¹  1:35⁴  1:54²
$1 Exacta: 2 – 6 Paid 52.50, 2 – 9 Paid 51.30
$1 Trifecta: 2 – 6 – 9 Paid 905.10, 2 – 9 – 6 Paid 453.00
Scratched: Mag Ol, Need 4 Speed

Howl Of The Hound second flight early, saving ground, responded when asked gaining ground through the far turn, engaged leader at the three sixteenths and drew away late, won driving.  Contradiction broke alertly, crossed over to the rail, set the pace to the three-sixteenths pole, headed, game, DH for the place.  War Chant second flight 2p, moved out to 3p down the back stretch while just behind the pace, fanned for the drive, best foot too late, DH for the place.  Sacred Order ground saving trip while racing in hand, moved to 3p into the lane, some late effort while no threat.  Princess Jasmine rated back early, lost ground down the backside to trail, fanned widest of all for the drive, passed tiring rivals.  Grayte Cruise taken back to trail early, saved ground to no avail.  Invade The Storm broke alertly, set/pressed the pace to the lane, tired.  Tko evenly, tired late.  Plan to Wheel sharp break, on the pace early, faded rail.  Crack Danz was never involved.  Penalty Shot was outrun.  Viral Breakdown mid-pack early, wide, tired.  Baller Alert wide trip, outrun.  Oleg was not a factor.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES