In one of the most exciting finishes I’ve seen in a while, Impending Decision, at 30-1 on the morning line, held off a strong late challenge by In Control to win the Grade 1 contest by 1/2 length.

The 7yo broke alertly and went out to the lead with five others, but by the time the field  entered the main track, he had settled one off the rail behind Sqawilther and Secret King who vied for the early lead.

By the time they reached the mid point on the backstretch, Secret King had a short lead over favorite Sqawilther. Mazula Ruler was third on the outside. Impending Decision and the filly Here Comes Love settled into fourth and behind them, Asset Class and Milestone competed for sixth. Phelps, West Northwest, and In Control rounded out the field.

Nearing the far turn, Here Comes Love made a big move on the outside and took the lead from Secret King. Impending Decision was shuffled back to sixth with Sqawilther in front of him and Mazula Ruler and Milestone to his outside.

Here Comes Love opened up by 1/2 length on the turn, but Secret King wasn’t finished. He recaptured the lead, while behind him the two grays, Impending Decision and Milestone were beginning to make their move four and five wide.

Out of the turn and into the stretch, In Control swung to the middle of the track and started gobbling up ground. Milestone and Impending Decision drove toward the lead together. In Control had gone from 8th to 4th in a sudden surge and was bearing down on the leaders.

With a furlong to go, Impending Decision took the lead from Secret King. Milestone drifted to the middle of the track and tried to fight off In Control but couldn’t hold him off, finishing third behind In Control who trailed by 1/2 length behind Night Rider Stables’ gray gelding at the wire.

The win landed Impending Decision at #6 on the BC Dirt Mile points list and improved his record for 2016 to 9-3-2-1 $620.000 and his career earnings over 1,000.000.

Congratulations Night Rider Stables!

Order of Finish

Impending Decision – Came from off the pace to win in the stretch
In Control – Trailed early; put in a strong drive to take second
Milestone – In the mix but just didn’t have it today
Secret King – Led at every call but the last
Phelps – Never a factor
West Northwest – Trailed the field most of the trip and never fired
Sqawilther – Close early but ran out of steam
Asset Class – May have been bothered by traffic on the rail
Here Comes Love – Led briefly but couldn’t keep pace with the boys
Mazula Ruler – Never a factor

Categories: Grade II