4/17/2020
AQU 2 Mizdirection
$100.000 3yoF 6f Turf 122lbs
We all know that Mb Stables doesn’t come to play and that was obvious again in Friday’s Mizdirection as Like It Or Not lagged back off of the pace, didn’t have a horse beat in the late stages but pressed, pushed and made her way to the front, winning by three-quarters of a length in a quick final time of 1:08.88 on the AQU grass, labeled as firm. My top choice, Big City Kitty, ran a big race to take the second spot, with Appealing Jewel in third after having the lead in the lane.
The field loaded for this turf bound six furlong dash and were away well with Salsabil out quickly, Rear Bumper from the rail as five lined up behind the leader. She was joined by Big City Kitty, Stop Gap and Its A Curse, then Appealing Jewel from the far outside. Like It Or Not was just in behind that wall of horses, and Full Of Heart was the early trailer.
They made the run down the back stretch and now into the far turn with three furlongs to run, Salsabil lead by two. Then the threesome of Appealing Jewel parked three wide, Rear Bumper from the rail and Stop Cap between horses. Its A Curse just in behind that group another length and a half to Big City Kitty out wide and beginning to move up, another length and a half to Like It Or Not along the rail and Full Of Heart on her flank and still the back marker.
They made their way around the far turn and into the lane, moving past the furlong pole and we had a horse race on our hand as three lengths covered the field… Appealing Jewel had the nose in front of Stop Gap, Salsabil on the rail and trying to battle back with Big City Kitty now widest of all and moving well. Rear Bumper was just in behind that line, Its A Curse next to that one, Full Of Heart fanned out and trying to find more and Like It Or Not was gaining ground but last as we moved into the late stages of this one.
Into the final 150-yards and to the finish, Appealing Jewel with a nose in front, Big City Kitty giving that one all she wanted and in the blink of an eye, Like It Or Not making a bold move up the inside… Stop Gap trying to find more, Full Of Heart down the outside… but as they made their way to the wire, there was no stopping the determined move of Like It Or Not as she hit the lead in the last three jumps and went on to win by three-quarters of a length. Big City Kitty continued on well to take the second spot with Appealing Jewel a head off of that one in third. It was another head back to Full Of Heart, in fourth. Stop gap was fifth, Its A Curse in sixth, Salsabil tiring to be seventh and Rear Bumper closed this one out.
Like It Or Not is a 3yo chestnut filly by Decima – Couldnt Tell, by Wreaking Havoc, and she was bred by her owner, Mb Stables, in Cal. This was her third win from eleven starts, her first stakes score and she now shows earnings of $131.440. That late move in the lane certainly makes me think that this isn’t the last time we will see her in the winner’s circle.
$2 Mutuel Prices:
| 6 – Like It Or Not | 10.40 | 6.40 | 5.20 |
| 5 – Big City Kitty | 11.50 | 8.40 | |
| 8 – Appealing Jewel | 7.80 |
Track: Firm Time: :223 :453 :571 1:084
$1 Exacta: 6 – 5 Paid 39.40 $1 Trifecta: 6 – 5 – 8 Paid 1,178.10
Scratched: None
Like It Or Not was taken back off of the early pace, moved closer to the lead while losing position into the lane, quick inside move to get near the lead, went on from there to win driving. Big City Kitty raced towards the back of the pack while never far away, fanned out for the drive settled for second in a game effort. Appealing Jewel raced near the pace throughout, short lead mid-way down the lane, caught, out-finished. Full Of Heart lacked early speed, moved forward through the turn, fanned widest of all, could not improve position. Stop Gap tracked the leader, up close at the furlong marker, tired from there. Its A Curse even trip, no factor. Salsabil, away quickly led to the furlong marker, tired. Rear Bumper flashed some early speed, stopped.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded
