6/6/2020

 2  BEL      The Stevens (GI)

  $400.000               3yo              7f  Dirt                122lbs

I guess that didn’t go the way I saw it… it didn’t go the way many saw it… at all.  Sent off at 33/1 odds, Mb Stables made ’em pay, as Sail Away did just that, taking The Stevens (GI) by a half-length, getting the seven furlongs in 1:21² for his first win since Sep of last season.  Post time favorite Iron Return was second, a half length in front of Lock Away The Key.

The sophomores loaded well and were away from the gate in good order with Pollinate on the early gas, Lock Away The Key and Iron Return from the far outside, back down towards the inside for Scafati, Play Along and Sail Away, Mexican Swagger just in behind that group, then Mexican Swagger, Ghost Sword, Doom, Aussie Steel and Red Strategy was the early trailer.

Making their way down the back side and into the sweeping far turn, they had a half mile to run and Iron Return was able to cross over, grab the lead and the rail.  Lock Away The Key three wide and giving chase, Pollinate on his inside and between horses Play Along on the rail.  Sail Away was next, three wide, Scafati between horses, then a gap of two to Mexican Swagger on the rail, Dragster next to that one, Doom three wide and Ghost Sword four wide, another gap to Red Strategy on the inside of the trailing Aussie Steel.

Around the turn and into the lane, they moved past the furlong marker and Iron Return continued to show the way… but they were closing in on him.  Sail Away four wide and advancing with every stride, Lock Away The Key next to that one and pressing forward, Play Along cut the corner with his inside trip, Pollinate now making a bid, Scafati on his outside, Mexican Swagger along the rail, Doom feeling the whip, Ghost Sword widest of all, Red Strategy needing to find more along the inside, Aussie Steel and Dragster dropped right out of it.

Deep stretch and to the finish, there was no stopping Sail Away on this afternoon as he moved past Iron Return and took the win.  The later continued on well to take the second spot with Lock Away The Key another half length back in third.  Play Along used his ground saving trip to grab the fourth spot, then Mexican Swinger, Scafati in sixth, Doom a head back in seventh, Pollinate eighth, Aussie Steel ninth, Red Strategy tenth, Ghost Sword eleventh and Dragster closed this one out.

Sail Away is a 3yo bay colt by Decima – Snakie Marjen, by Snakie, and he was bred by his owner, Mb Stables, in NY.  This was his fourth win from ten starts, his first win this season, and he now has earnings of $520.000.  It’s good to see this one get things back on the winning side… congratulations to Mb and Sail Away.

$2 Mutuel Prices: 

Track: Fast            Time: :22³  :45²  1:09   1:21²
$1 Exacta: 4 – 11 Paid 262.20        $1 Trifecta: 4 – 11 – 12 Paid 1,681.20
Scratched: Ngannou

Sail Away mid-pack early, responded when asked, swung four wide for the drive, caught the leader at the furlong marker, moved past, won driving.  Iron Return broke alertly from the outside, crossed over to a rail position, led to the furlong marker, headed, continued on well.  Lock Away The Key sharp break, up to press the leader to the furlong marker, could not improve.  Play Along ground saving trip, evenly.  Mexican Swagger unhurried early while never far from the leader, some late foot, no threat.  Scafati went evenly.  Doom broke in hand, settled off of the pace, passed tiring rivals. Pollinate showed good speed for a half, tired.  Aussie Steel away slow, never involved.  Red Strategy was outrun.  Ghost Sword was outrun.  Dragster was outrun. 

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES