The Baruch Handicap (Grade 2)- $250.000 Purse
SAR- For Three Year Olds and Upward
One Mile and One Sixteenth on the Inner Turf
September 3, 2018

In November, Ingrained became a BC Champion, by winning the BC Mile. It was part of a historic day for his trainer, Mb Stables. Since then, however, Ingrained had yet to return to the winner’s circle. In fact, even after that race, he was downgraded into open allowances, which is where he spent most of this year, and didn’t win any of them. Not that his runs were bad, they were simply without wins. Reportedly, he returned here for the Fourstardave last month, though not many will remember when he finished, he was that far back. It was soft turf that day, and today we were firm and ready to go. After ten months, it was time for another trophy! Mb Stables is the winning trainer, his first Baruch win, and the same is true for the jockey, P Lopez. The time of the win was 1:39.35, the third quickest in the history of the stake. Let’s take a look at it!

(1/4 Mile- :23.79)- Iron Desperation, one of two in the field for D J C Racing Stables is sharp out of the gate and takes the lead as the field moves down the frontstretch. The eventual winner, Ingrained, out of Mb Stables, as well as Endure Luxury, from Joshua Stables also started well, and they would prevent Iron Desperation from being able to get to the rail in time for the opening turn. However, he would eventually pull out a little more and be able to move to the inside pretty shortly upon entry. Ingrained backed off a bit into the turn, and is two lengths back. Endure Luxury has sole possession of second now, and is a length back. Creeping into the picture here would be Cannon, for Maxmillion Farm, and he looked to go three wide. The trailers would be Highest Esteem (Axeman) and Destin (D J C Racing Stables), but they were only four lengths from the front.

(½ Mile- :47.16)- Down the backstretch, Iron Desperation is looking good, and without too much pressure on him he maintained his length and a half advantage down the backstretch. Endure Luxury has a great stalking trip going on at this point, and does well to not force anything too soon. As they get closer to the turn, Endure Luxury’s intention of making an outside move becomes known, and all the while, Ingrained, who also had a great trip at this point, saw the opening develop to split these two while rounding the turn. Cannon was trying to hang tough with this group. Highest Esteem was getting racy, but looked to be running himself into a spot where he could be boxed in. For his sake, hopefully an opening would form. Destin was not yet making a move.

(Top Of Stretch, 1.5F To Go)- Making their way around the turn, Iron Desperation was trying to hang on, but would not be able too. Endure Luxury had succeeded in making what ended up being a three wide move, but only made one mistake. That would be allowing way too much room for Ingrained to come on through without any difficulty. Ingrained was fluid, making a methodical advance, and with the better path around the turn, he would be side by side with Endure Luxury. Iron Desperation had been passed by them, but seemed like he would fight for the third spot. For Highest Esteem, he liked seeing even more of an opening between Endure Luxury and Ingrained and prepared to pounce on it. Cannon was in the mix, but not advancing. Destin was now within two and a half lengths.

(Finish- 1:39.35)- We get treated to a very exciting stretch duel here. Both Ingrained and Endure Luxury gave it their all in the stretch, and at no point did it really look like one was going to have the edge on the other. Though that was not all, because Highest Esteem was making a charge himself and advancing on both of them. For him, the only question would be if there was enough time before the wire came up. A photo would be needed to determine the order of finished, and it would be Ingrained by a neck over Endure Luxury, who was a head in front of Highest Esteem! Destin was fourth best, with Iron Desperation tiring more then expected, into the fifth position, one spot ahead of Cannon.

About The Winner- Ingrained, trained by Mb Stables, and ridden to victory by P Lopez, is a four year old gelding by Decima, and is out of the late Spanish Dominator. He was bred in Ontario by Mb Stables as a first quarter two year old, and they have been together throughout. Congratulations to the connections! The win is his sixth in 19 starts, and his third stake win, all of which are graded. His career earnings are now $1,776.160.

Track: Firm
Time: :23³  :47   1:10¹  1:39¹

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 2 – 3 Paid 10.80
$1 Trifecta: 2 – 3 – 1 Paid 540.00

Scratched: None

Winner picked by NS

— NS

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES