7/31/2021

  10   SAR     The Dandy (GII)

   $600.000      3yo       1 1/8m   Dirt        122lbs

The Dandy (GII) is one of those races that everyone wants to win, but as of late, this race BELONGS to Mb Stables.  For the third year in a row, the Big Stable took the victory, this time as Proud Crown used his tactical speed to press the pace, then kick clear in the late going to win by a half length in a final time of 1:47³ for the mile and an eighth.  The Spa main track was listed as fast.  Just Wanna Blaze used a great late effort to make a race out of it, but had to settle for the second spot, three lengths in front of the filly, Viral Breakdown, in third.  Intercontinental set the early pace and tired a bit late to be fourth in the field of nine.  Six lengths covered the field from front to back.

With the early scratch of Rowdy Rb and the late scratch of Cossack, we had nine in the starting gate for this big race, and as they got under way, Intercontinental was on the early gas to take them into the clubhouse turn.  Proud Crown, Hard To Forgive and Viral Breakdown in hot pursuit.  A gap back to the trio of Added Value, Cantstopwhatscomin on the inside and Just Wanna Blaze on the outside, then a gap back to the trailing duo, Top Of The Crop and Count The Stars.

Around the clubhouse turn and onto the back stretch with six furlongs to run, Intercontinental continuing to show the way by two and a half lengths.  Proud Crown on the inside of Hard To Forgive, then a gap back to Viral Breakdown, Added Value on her inside, another length to Cantstopwhatscomin on the rail, Just Wanna Blaze towards the outside of that one, another length and a half to Top Of The Crop and Count The Stars was now the trailer. 

They made their way down the backside and moving into the far turn with three and a half furlongs to run, Intercontinental in front, two lengths back to Proud Crown, another length and a half to Hard To Forgive, then a gap to Viral Breakdown.  Two lengths back to Added Value with Just Wanna Blaze on his outside, Cantstopwhatscomin along the rail, then a gap to Top Of The Crop and Count The Stars continued to be the back marker.

Swing around the turn and into the lane, Proud Crown up to stick a head in front of Intercontinental, three back to Hard To Forgive on the outside of Viral Breakdown, then Just Wanna Blaze on the outside of that duo,  gap to Added Value, Cantstopwhatscomin still saving ground, Top Of the Crop and Count The Stars.

Now inside the final sixteenth and to the finish, Proud Crown had disposed of Intercontinental and Just Wanna Blaze was now flying down the outside trying to make a race of it, but as they went under the wire, it was Proud Crown taking the win.  Just Wanna Blaze certainly tried to make it interesting, and was a clear second, Viral Breakdown taking the third spot, and Intercontinental tiring to be fourth.  hard To Forgive was fifth, Added Value sixth, Count The Stars seventh, Cantstopwhatscomin eighth and Top Of The Crop closed this one out. 

Proud Crown is a 3yo chestnut gelded son of Crown Gold – Step Proud, by Proud Chai, and he was bred in Fla by Tiratzo.  Acquired by Mb Stables via private purchase for $250.000 back in Oct of last season, he now has seven wins from twelve starts, has won five of six starts this season, and now has lifetime earnings of $1,029.000.  It looks like the connections have another monster on their hands as we head into the fall stakes schedule, and of course the 2021 BC at Del Mar.  Congrats to the connections! 

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Fast           Time: :47²  1:10⁴  1:35   1:47³
$1 Exacta: 2 – 9 Paid 65.40        $1 Trifecta: 2 – 9 – 8 Paid 382.40
Scratched: Cossack, Rowdy Rb

Proud Crown forwardly placed while unhurried, up to take over into the lane, clear late, held off late rush from foe, won driving.  Just Wanna Blaze unhurried while under wraps, started to move forward through the far turn, swung out for the drive and closed a late gap.  Viral Breakdown evenly, no threat to the top pair.  Intercontinental sent from the gate, set the pace to the lane, tired.  Hard To Forgive up with the pace to the furlong marker, tired.  Added Value mid-pack throughout.  Count The Stars trailed, passed tiring rivals late.  Cantstopwhatscomin save ground to no avail. Top Of The Crop was no factor. 

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES