Summer Stakes – Grade I
1 Mile Turf Stake Purse $500.000 Two-Year-Olds. At WO

1st      Divide Your Fears             Mb Stables             6.50-1(HRP) 10-1 (SRF)

Divide Your Fears was a maiden in with all these winning stakes horse, but a maiden which tipped his mit in his last race, his first turf route, as he placed second at 1 1/16 mile. That and a very sharp mile work had his connections wisely place him here, and it was a summer walk for him. Obviously, he appreciated the shorter route, but he looked like he could keep strolling all day. The bettors were suspicious enough of this nonwinner to keep him in the top four in wagering and he paid off with a handy win.

2nd      Bold Luka                        Red Fox Farms         16.50-1 (HRP) 5-1 (SRF)

I thought a lot more of this lad than the betting public did, placing him fourth in my handicap at only 5-1. In only the fourth race of his life, Bold Luka stalked the field into the stretch and closed determinedly to finish within one-length of the winner at the wire. This was the first time he had traveled beyond five and a half furlongs, and he seemed a little green about it. Imagine when he gets the route figured out, like in the BC!

3rd      Puppet Master                     Riggins Racing             7.25-1 (HRP) *3-1 (SRF)

Puppet Master may not have taken to the turf as well as I predicted he would. He stayed close to the leaders in a stalk through most of the race, but when it came time to strike, he seemed a bit tentative and only kind of kept up rather than close for the kill.

4th      Hide In Plain Sight           Mb Stables         *4.35-1 (HRP) 6-1 (SRF)

Hide In Plain Sight was made a lukewarm favourite here off a wide margin victory over a soft field of maidens and got uncharacteristically too far back and was unable to make up the deficit through the stretch.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES