The United Nations Stakes (Grade 1) (BC)- $500.000 Purse
MTH- For Three Year Olds and Upward
One Mile and Three Eighths on the Turf
July 5, 2015

Since winning the McKnight Handicap (G3) a couple days after Christmas, Eve of Destruction has consistently been in the top three, but had not returned to the winners circle in 2015. Last month, he narrowly missed picking up his first Grade 1 win.   Today in the prestigious United Nations Stakes, the majority of bettors were looking at BC Turf Champion Ashkalani, and Copper Clappers seemed to pick up a ton of many at the betting window as well. At odds of 8/1, those who had confidence in Eve of Destruction would become rewarded as this five year old gelding picked up the biggest win of his career. The win will also send him, should the trainer choose (and why wouldn’t he?) to the BC Turf later this year.   Congratulations to the trainer, Emerald Racing Inc on scoring the win.    It is the first time he has won the stake, and the second time that jockey K Desormeaux has been aboard the winner, having also done so with Loooking Goood in 2012.   The race was entertaining, both for the triumphant winner and for some the disappointing performances that we also saw. Let’s take a bigger look at how it went down!

1st- 3- Eve of Destruction (8/1)- Our eventual winner from Emerald Racing Inc began the race in a midpack position, and was two to three lengths from the leaders as they ran down the frontstretch for the first time.   Made a slight advance as they entered the clubhouse turn to be able to assume more of a stalking position behind Z Jinxed One. Began the backstretch run in third, about a length and a half from the lead, but the two pacesetters began to tire out midway through. K Desormeaux saw this opportunity and took full advantage of it, moving Eve of Destruction to the outside of Z Jinxed One, and assumed the lead before the run to the final turn began. Handled the turn flawlessly, and at the top of the stretch he had the field cleared by a length and was pulling away from everyone except Forever Steel.   He would not let up in the stretch, and would hold off that challenge to secure the win! The winner is a five year old gelding by Laffinspede, and out of the autogen Diva Destruction. He was bred in CA by Running Farms, and purchased by Emerald Racing Inc in the March 2013 auction from Spongebob for just $5.000.   With the win, he is now over the $1,000.000 mark in career earnings. Congratulations to all of the connections! The time of the race was 2:11.95, two tenths off the stake record.

2nd- 2- Forever Steel (10/1)- The Mb Stables entry was midpack early, and had Eve of Destruction beside him to the outside. J R Velazquez was content to keep him in this position while  keeping the pacesetters in sight about three lengths back, though it did allow Eve of Destruction to put some daylight between them. Midway through the backstretch, Velazquez told Forever Steel it was time to go, and a move to the outside of Candy Cain N Able was made even while that one was in full stride as well. Did well to clear that rival at the top of the stretch, and set his sights on Eve of Destruction and put in a valiant bid to get him. He could not quite do it, but what he does do is score of a very good second place finish.

3rd- 10- Candy Cain N Able (16/1)- Didn’t break quickly out of the gate, but R A Baze seemed to have a plan in the early stages with his Deja Vu Farm entry to advance him towards the front. Tucked him in behind Z Jinxed One at the top of the stretch the first time, and when that one advanced more aggressively, Baze relaxed his horse, content to stalk the leaders. Midway through the backstretch run, the two pacesetters began to tire out, and Candy Cain N Able was pushed towards the lead, and would have taken it if Eve of Destruction didn’t slip on by. Ran well for most of the stretch, but didn’t have the same kind of kick here as the top two would. Still, it was enough for him to hold on to third place with some pretty good horses behind him.

4th- 1- Copper Clappers (4/1)- Midpack and generally unhurried at the start.   Continued to pace himself around the clubhouse turn, and as the backstretch began. Moved forward along the turn for Razorback Racing, and was fortunate that Titan had come off the rail, so that he could slip on by without being hindered. If he did not, then Copper Clappers probably suffers the same fate as did Dogs Infowarrior. Had a strong run in the turn, advancing several positions. Maintained this consistent stride in the stretch along the rail, but didn’t have a push along with it to be able to catch Candy Cain N Able, or run with Forever Steel. Ends up being a solid run and 4th place check for his trainer.

5th- 9- Make Change (104/1)- Unfortunately, the few that did bet on the Night Rider Stables entry never really had the moment where they could scream and act as though they were about to be rich; as he began the race at the back and was there for much of the race.   Stays in close proximity to the leaders, and makes a move at the top of stretch in following Forever Steel, and then moving to his inside.   This allowed for a good stretch run and for the people who had him in the superfecta wish he could have caught Copper Clappers.

6th- 5- Ashkalani (3/1)- The reigning BC Turf Champion and post time favorite from Dandy Dan Stables began this race more towards the back, about five lengths or so off the lead. Maintained his position, and seemed to be waiting for his time to strike during the backstretch run. That move came about midway into this run, but it sent Ashkalani about six wide into the turn, and didn’t help that two directly to his inside, Forever Steel and Candy Cain N Able were advancing themselves, and not backing up. Ends up being well wide in the stretch, but he can only use this as an excuse so much, as he didn’t have much kick in the stretch. If so, Make Change would not have went by.

7th- 4- Dance Charm (6/1)- The Sarah Stables trained entry got off to a good start, getting himself over to rail pretty quickly, and would able to maintain this position for the opening turn. Backed off the pace a bit during the frontstretch, and then a little more once the went into the clubhouse turn.   His run stabilized during the backstretch, and midway through the turn, he was having horses go by him to the outside. Might have been hindered a little by Titan, but not enough to make that an excuse.

8th- 8- Dogs Infowarrior (11/1)- The Grimley colt was last of them all in the early going. Remained unhurried around the clubhouse turn but still in contact with the leaders if there was going to be a closing bid forthcoming. Appeared interested in making a forward move within the turn, but it didn’t help that he had a few horses going in reverse in front of him with no room to the outside. He never had a chance today, and this should be considered a throw out for this horse.

9th- 7- Titan (5/1)- Quickest of them all out of the gate for D J C Racing Stables, though he was still about four wide or so around most of the turn before eventually crossing over. Allowed Z Jinxed One to go by him in the frontstretch the first time and seemed comfortable while along the rail, where he remained around the clubhouse turn and as the backstretch run began. Took the lead in the backstretch moreso due to the tiring of Z Jinxed One.   Within the turn, Titan made up his mind that he was done running for the day and would drop all the way to ninth.

10th- 6- Z Jinxed One (8/1)- Good out of the gate in his debut for Sanny Village, content to stay just off the lead, and made a move at the top of the stretch and nicely passed the leader. Someone just needed to tell him there was another lap. Set the opening half mile time in :47.74, and 3/4 mark in 1:11.63, all while leading Titan by about a length. Midway through the backstretch run, it just looked like Z Jinxed One lost interest in the race, and began to back out of it, gradually fading all the way to the back in a result the new trainer hopes will not become a trend.

Track: Firm
Time: :47³  1:11³  1:35³  2:11⁴

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 3 – 2 Paid 69.90
$1 Trifecta: 3 – 2 – 10 Paid 780.30

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade I