The 2015 General George Stakes (GIII) was a bit of an upset as Night Rider Stables’ Impending Decision, sent off as the second longest shot on the board (10/1) defeated Hallelujah and the rest of the field, getting the seven furlongs in 1:21.54.  Generals Companion rounded out the trifecta in this one.

 The seven sprinters loaded and were away in good order with outsider Conquest jumping out to the early advantage You Big Freak to his inside, Impending Decision one more closer to the rail and Bonsai Gullis back towards the center of the track.  Hallelujah skimming the rail, Generals Companion and royal Redeemer was away slowest of all.

Making their way down the backside, four and a half furlongs to run, Bonsai Gullis up to take command by a length and a half.  You Big Freak finding himself four wide, Conquest saving ground on the rail and Impending Decision on his flank and between horses.  Hallelujah just in behind that one, Generals Companion a bit wide ad Royal Redeemer could see them all, six lengths covered the field.

Now heading around the far turn and just five-sixteenths of a mile to go, Bonsai Gullis was now joined on the outside by You Big Freak.  Impending Decision three wide and coming at the top pair, Hallelujah between horses, Conquest on the inside, another length to Generals Companion and Royal Redeemer was still the trailer, now five lengths from from to back.

Into the lane and past the furlong marker, things were getting tight…  Impending Decision now up to take the lead by a half length, but a wall of horse flesh was forming behind him.  Bonsai Gullis digging in from the inside, Hallelujah between horses, You Big Freak on his outside, then three quarters of a length to Generals Companion, Royal Redeemer being asked from the extreme outside as Conquest put the cue in the rack and was in full retreat.

Inside the final 150-yards and to the finish, Impending Decision in front by a half length, Hallelujah not giving up yet, Generals Companion trying to muster a late push… but as they went under the wire, this was all about Impending Decision and the decision was to win this one, getting clear by a half length and taking the win.  Hallelujah stay on well and took the place with Generals Companion in third.  Royal Redeemer snagged the fourth spot just in front of You Big Freak, then Bonsai Gullis and Conquest closed this one out.

Impending Decision is a 7yo altered son of Simply Awesome Pal – Lyvan, by HRP-Lyphard, and he was bred by Barcelona Farms in Cal.  Acquired via the claiming box back in Aug of 2011 for $25.000, the old boy now shows twelve wins from thirty-nine starts and earnings of $745.370, while staying a perfect two-for-two in the ’16 season.  He’s already surpassed his ’15 earnings, now racking up $240.000 in the early stages of this year.

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Fast        Time: :23   :46   1:09²  1:21²
$1 Exacta: 2 – 1 Paid 174.70             $1 Trifecta: 2 – 1 – 6 Paid 605.10
Scratched: None

Categories: Grade III