8/6/21

  6   SAR     The National Museum of Racing (GII)

$200.000    3yo     1m  InTurf    122lbs +penalties

Sorry for the delay in The National Museum of Racing (GII) recap… honestly, I completely forgot about this race and I certainly apologize for that.  Back at the racetrack, Arindel got the picture and the lion’s share of the purse as Manchild closed relentlessly to get the win by a neck, stopping the timer in 1:32.83 for the flat mile on the inner turf course.  Beach Xaar did all of the heavy lifting, setting the pace throughout, but just couldn’t hold off the winner, setting for the second spot.  Off Track Torcher, the post time favorite, tracked the pace and was a head back in third with Call me King taking the fourth spot.  Only four lengths covered the field.

The field loaded into the gate and were away in good order with Beach Xaar jumping out to the early lead, the typical walls of combatants lining up behind that one with Stiff Peter, Day Of The Dragon, Off Track Torcher and Call Me King, then a gap back to Manchild on the rail, Spirial Out Keepgoing next to that one and the early trailer. 

Around the clubhouse turn and on to the backside with five and a half furlongs to run, Beach Xaar in front with a comfortable lead, Off Track Torcher moving up from the far outside, Day Of The Dragon between horses with Call Me Kin on the outside, Stiff Peter on the hedge, then a gap to Manchild and Spiral Out Keepgoing was the back marker.

They made their way down the back stretch without a lot of change, now with three furlongs to run and Beech Xaar continuing to set the pace.  Off Track Torcher still out widest of all and giving chase, Call Me King towards his inside, Day Of The Dragon on his inside as Stiff Peter began to soften on the rail.  Manchild was next, and Spiral Out Keepgoing could still see them all.

Around the far turn to the top of the lane, Beach Xaar continuing to show the way, Off Track Torcher trying to find more, Call Me King still in striking distance but Manchild was flying down the center of the track with a huge late burst.  Day Of The Dragon on the rail, a gap to the trailing duo of Stiff Peter and Spiral Out Keepgoing.

Deep stretch and to the finish, Beach Xaar with the lead, but it was shrinking with every stride... Manchild down the center of the track, Off Track Torcher just to his inside… but down to the last few jumps, Manchild was up to take over and go under the wire in front.  Beach Xaar continued on well for the place with Off Track Torcher third.  Call Me King was fourth, Day Of The Dragon fifth, Spiral Out Keepgoing sixth and Stiff Peter seventh.

Manchild is a 3yo gray gelded son of Manhunt – Childs Plays Winter, by Kavorka, and he was bred by his owner, Arindel, in ON.  This was his third win of his career, all coming this season, and his first graded win.  He now shows earnings of $235.200.  Congrats to the connections.    

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Firm          Time: :23¹  :46¹  1:09   1:32⁴
$1 Exacta: 3 – 1 Paid 30.80              $1 Trifecta: 3 – 1 – 7 Paid 84.60
Scratched: None

Manchild broke in hand, taken off of the pace, patiently handled, swung widest for the drive, closed full of run to take over nearing the wire, won driving.  Beach Xaar broke alertly, set the pace to the final 150-yards, headed, settled.  Off Track Torcher tracked the pace, moved forward through the lane but could not find more.  Call Me King raced evenly, no late advance.  Day Of The Dragon raced evenly throughout while no threat.  Spiral Out Keepgoing was never involved.  Stiff Peter up with the early pace for five furlongs, steady retreat. 

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES