Hirsch Stakes (Grade 1) (BC)- $300.000 Purse
DMR- For Fillies and Mares Three Years Old and Upward
One Mile and One Sixteenth on the Dirt
August 1, 2021

It would be a good day for Maxmillion Farm in the Hirsch Stakes as each of his horses stepped up and ran very well, giving him a 1-2 finish. In the top spot would be Empire World, a filly with an excellent winning percentage and she is able to make that even better here. She has now won three in a row, and this would be her first win at over a mile. It’s the first win in the stake for both Maxmillion Farm, and the jockey, J K Court. Congratulations to them! The race was run in a time of 1:41.19, the second fastest in history, bettered by only the late Brandy Punch in 2012. Let’s take a look at it!

(¼ Mile- :23.74)- Not surprisingly, traditional pacesetter Grand Cyclone goes out to the lead for Maxmillion Farm, but she will have some company on the front end as Why You Do That, out of Mb Stables goes with her. They are the early leaders going into the turn, and Dream Woman, from Fractious, starts to show interest in joining them midway through. The other three horses are within a length or two, with the eventual winner, Empire World, in the fourth spot for Maxmillion Farm, running right behind Why You Do That. Fair On Friday (Gdp Inc) and Forever Phooey Party (Night Rider Stables) are within half a length of her, so no one is far behind at this point.

(½ Mile- :47.20)- Nothing terribly eventful happens during this portion of the race as Grand Cyclone continues to pace the field with a half length advantage on Why You Do That, and that one has a similar lead on Dream Woman. Empire World still stalks this group in the fourth position, potentially eyeing the third lane which, for now, is open for her. Fair On Friday and Forever Phooey Party are still in comfortable striking range.

(Top of Stretch, 1.7F To Go)- Grand Cyclone continues to hold her lead down the backstretch, and all throughout turn. Entering the stretch, she seems to be in full stride still, so it was going to be difficult for the others to try and get by her. Why You Do That was still close, but lost a little bit of ground. The other Maxmillion filly, Empire World, started to show her intentions to advance midway through the turn, and closed to within a length and half, and passing Dream Woman in the process. Forever Phooey Party and Fair On Friday needed to get moving now if they were going to pick up a win.

(Finish- 1:41.19)- Grand Cyclone runs well in the stretch, but not as quick as her stablemate, Empire World. That one showed her excellent stretch kick which has allowed her to now win over half of the race that she has been in. Empire World passed Grand Cyclone rather easily and goes on to a comfortable two and a half length win. Grand Cyclone holds second over late running Forever Phooey Party. Why You Do That drops to fourth, topping Fair On Friday and Dream Woman.

About The Winner- Empire World, trained by Maxmillion Farm and ridden to victory by J K Court, is a four year old filly by Neon Wolf and is out of the late Origami. She was bred in Florida by Smokey Stover as a second quarter two year old and acquired by Maxmillion Farm for a $12.500 claiming tag in October 2020. Congratulations to the connections! The win is her ninth in 17 starts, her fifth stake win and fourth graded win. Her career earnings are now $818.120.

Track: Fast
Time: :23³  :47¹  1:10³  1:41

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 4 – 3 Paid 14.10
$1 Trifecta: 4 – 3 – 2 Paid 545.40

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES