The weather was perfect when this field of 4 entered the starting gates today for the Grade 3 Matchmaker Stakes. The betting public had looked at Fasion Lane as the odds on choice with Rock Warrior the second betting choice. As the gates opened and sent the field on their mile and 1/8^th journey on the turf Fasion Lane took early control of the race and had opened up a 3+ length lead on the rest of the field. Iceberg was sitting in second with Rock Warrior just behind in 3^rd. A half mile into the race Fasion Lane was still on the lead and ran the first half in a fast 47 seconds flat. Rock Warrior had moved past Iceberg and was in a solid 2^nd place spot with Iceberg still holding onto 3^rd. With 4 furlongs to go it appeared to me as if Fasion Lane was starting to weaken on the lead due to the early fractions, and Rock Warrior appeared to be hitting a great stride and looked to be a big danger, with Iceberg holding onto 3^rd. With just under 2.5 furlongs to go Rock Warrior made his move on Fasion Lane and pulled even with him and looked as if she was going to run by with ease and Aspiration had moved into third going inside Iceberg but looked like she may have too much to do to catch the leaders. In the final 2 furlongs Rock Warrior stormed away from this field and won with ease, Aspiration made a nice move and came running to finish 2^nd and Fasion Lane finished a tiring 3^rd. This was a very impressive win by Rock Warrior and she looks like she could be onto bigger and better things the rest of this year. Let’s take a look at how the race broke down and the payouts:

Track: Firm
Time: :47   1:10³  1:33⁴  1:45³

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 1 – 2 Paid 5.30

Scratched: None

Claimed:
None

Warbucks

Categories: Grade III