It was a long-shot kind of a day at Santa Anita…  sent off as an 11/1 outsider, LionKing Stable’s Russian Whisky closed well and got the job done, getting the mile and an eighth distance in 1:47.66 and winning by a half length in the San Antonio Stakes (GII).  Hardline took the second spot with post time favorite and 2015 Horse of the Year A One settling for third.

Away from the gate in good order and as they passed under the wire the first time by, Hardline was out quickly and had a length and a half advantage.  Suns Out Guns Out chasing that one, Visa Vice from the rail, Dogs Infowarrior from between horses.  Unsuited was next from the far outside, Viking King well placed, then A One on his inside, Russian Whisky under a hold from the rail and Hyper Silver was the early trailer.

Moving around the clubhouse turn and onto the back stretch, now five furlongs to run and Unsuited wrestled the lead and was now in front by three lengths.  Hardline was now the stalker and on the rail, Suns Out Guns Out on his flank, back to the rail for Visa Vice.  Dogs Infowarrior was next, Russian Whisky still under a hold and saving ground.  Another length and a half to A One, Viking Shield caught widest of all and Hyper Silver, still at the back of the pack.

Now midway on the far turn, Unsuited in front by three and just galloping along.  Hardline still giving chase, Visa Vice on the rail, Suns Out Guns Out next to that one.  Russian Whisky now moving forward three wide, Dogs Infowarrior four wide and A One coming up behind that group five wide.  It was a gap of of three back to Viking Shield and Hyper Silver still trailed.

Into the lane and they made their way past the furlong marker, Unsuited had seen his lead shrink to a neck as Hardline was up to apply the pressure.  Russian Whisky in the three path and coming at that pair quickly, Visa Vice from the rail and a length behind that one.  Three wide, Dogs Infowarrior was in good position, A One from the far outside and Suns Out Guns Out now drifting back a bit.  A gap of three back to Hyper Silver from the rail and Viking Shield just didn’t seem to have it on this afternoon.

Deep stretch and to the wire, Hardline up to take the lead, Russian Whisky moving up quickly on that one as Unsuited lost ground on the rail, A One trying to find a late foot form the outside with Dogs Infowarrior next to that one.  Visa Vice could find no more Suns Out Guns Out looking the same, then a big gap to Hyper Silver and Viking Shield, both out of contention.  But as they neared the wire, it was a two horse race with Hardline on the lead, but Russian Whisky moving right on by with a few jumps to go, and Russian Whisky went right on by and took the win by a half length.  Hardline finished second with A One closing wide to get the third spot.  Unsuited tired late to be fourth, then Dogs Infowarrior in fifth, Visa Vice in sixth, Suns Out Guns Out in sevnth, Hyper Silver in eighth and Viking Shield closed this one out.

Russian Whisky is a 7yo gelding by Whisky Lit – Russia, by  Vay Con Dios.  He was bred by Running Farms in Cal, and this was his fourteenth win from thirty-eight starts.  He now shows earnings of $1,220.110 and has already out-earned his ’15 season.  Purchased prior to this race for $120.000, LionKing Stables seems to have found a very good one.  Congratulations to Russian Whisky and LionKing Stables.

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Fast      Time: :46⁴  1:10²  1:35   1:47³
$1 Exacta: 2 – 8 Paid 103.50   $1 Trifecta: 2 – 8 – 3 Paid 512.20
Scratched: None

Categories: Grade II