Wiley (Grade 1)- $350.000 Purse
KEE- For Fillies and Mares Four Years Old and Upward
One Mile and One Sixteenth on the Turf
April 13, 2019

The Wiley ended up giving us an entertaining finish, and a three way photo in the end to determine the winner. No one in the field of six was badly beaten, though one of them will race no more. Our pick, Free Sunset, was retired after the race, and would you believe, through the magic of the virtual world, she has already produced a foal before the race recap is written! The winner of the race is La Terrifiant, who is liking the grass, picking up her second win in three starts on it. Our Athletes is the winning trainer, so congratulations to him on his first Wiley win! Jockey F Geroux is also a first time winner. The time of the win was 1:40.01, let’s take a look!

(1/4 Mile- :24.03)- The start of the race sees three horses move forward and run together, and the other three stay together a couple lengths off the pace. Eventually, as we move into the turn, Agenda (Mb Stables) pokes a half length in front as new proud momma Free Sunset (Smokey Stover) and eventual race winner, La Terrifiant, for Our Athletes race nearby. The group of three behind them are running side by side. From inside to outside, this is Sweet Gail (Sccj Stables), Devil Wears Prada (Axeman), and Snacks (D J C Racing Stables).

(½ Mile- :47.74)- There are no significant changes as the field hits a half mile, or as they conclude the backstretch portion. If anything, the top three gets closer together and are all heads apart again, taking away the slight advantage that Agenda had. It was two lengths back to Snacks, who was emerging as the best of the second group, and he looked to have a good lane for the turn. Sweet Gail is three lengths back and hopes to come through on the rial, and Devil Wears Prada trails, but only by four.

(Top of Stretch, 1.5F To Go)- La Terrifiant does a great job in the turn, and pulls away from her rivals by a length. Both Agenda and Free Sunset were not able to keep up, and were about to be passed by Snacks at this point. Snacks had run behind La Terrifiant while rounding the turn, and now looked to move to her outside for the pass. Room opened up for Sweet Gail on the rail to make Sccj Stables happy with her chances. Devil Wears Prada was within three lengths, too.

(Finish- 1:40.01)- La Terrifiant is in full stride for the stretch and showing some good fight, but she had pressure coming. Snacks was also running very well and closing in with every stride. On the rail, and especially within the final furlong, Sweet Gail came bursting through the field with her own late run. The wire was approaching, and La Terrifiant was clinging to the lead while Our Athletes yelled for the wire to hurry up. In the end, in a close photo, La Terrifiant holds off her rivals, with Snacks second and Sweet Gail third when all was settled. Devil Wears Prada got up to fourth. While Agenda and Free Sunset were within two lengths, but at the back. No word on how long after the race that Free Sunset gave birth to a new foal, somehow she flew to New York in the process, too, and gave birth to a NY-bred.

About The Winner- La Terrifiant, trained by Our Athletes, and ridden to victory by F Geroux, is a four year old filly by Pinkman and is out Cest Creepy. She was bred in California by Four Winds Racing as a second quarter two year old and was acquired by Our Athletes, via Jive Inc, in private sales for $375.000. Congratulations to the connections! The one time BC Juvenile Fillies winner has now won six of her 17 career starts, five are graded, and three are Grade 1’s. Her career earnings are now $2,595.000.

Track: Firm
Time: :24   :47³  1:10⁴  1:40

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 6 – 4 Paid 150.60
$1 Trifecta: 6 – 4 – 1 Paid 595.80

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES