May 23, 2016
The second jewel of the TC came to fruition at PIM on Saturday afternoon and after some controversy regarding the weather, fast conditions greeted the full field of 14 going 1 3/16 miles with Water Mummy looking for another huge upset like he scored in the KYD two weeks ago at CD. After getting away evenly behind the speed on his outside, he failed to quicken like he did in his previous starts and that left room for Ned Isakoff, tenth in the KYD after failing to quicken, the opportunity to rocket between horses and score his first top class win and third overall. Sire Il Miglio Fabro never made it to the PRK after finishing ninth in the 2008 KYD but his sire The Maestro was second in this race back in 2006 before winning the Grade I BEL, so that seems like a logical step for this colt as he carries on the tradition of his amazing family, with a brilliant 100-speed rating under his belt that ranks as one of the best in this division all season long.
While inside speed might have been expected, it was outside momentum that struck first at PIM in the PRK and supplemental entrant Dogs Got Wings (37.10) broke best at long odds to secure a brief lead from Moment Of Madness (7.40) in second, with Palestinian (22.60) right there in third. Spring Lover (10.70) also broke well, as did Cozzene Lyphard (60.95) from his far outside gate, and into the first turn, the leaders had already gotten down to the rail while midpack runners like Coup de Lyon (41.70) and even favourite Dial It In (*2.95) were still looking for room to the inside. Dogs Got Wings moved clear to a one-length lead over Moment Of Madness along the rail as the huge field moved around the first turn at PIM and Coup de Lyon was almost forced to sprint forward with a huge rush and came into second as the field moved into the short backstretch. The leader was still strong through a big half-mile in 47.12 as longshots occupied three of the top four placings and much like in the KYD, Water Mummy (11.85) was sitting the perfect inside trip with Ned Isakoff (6.55) outside of him and Spring Lover well meant along the fence. Everyone moved into the far turn with Dogs Got Wings still leading, Moment Of Madness still hanging well along the rail and Cozzene Lyphard backing away after a wide trip and through six-furlongs in a big-time 1:10.78, it looked like only one horse was making a serious move while saving all of the ground. Only 5.5-lengths separated first to last with a quarter-mile to run and Moment Of Madness finally benefited from that golden rail run to take a brief lead but Dogs Got Wings held courageously despite the wicked splits and that allowed almost the entire field to spread out across the track, with the exception being rail starter Ned Isakoff. Deep into the lane, the third choice rocketed between horses to take the lead and inside the furlong pole, needed only to hold off a powerful challenge from Grade I winner Atomic Twister (5.10), who burst forward far into the track, and he did that with aplomb en route to a half-length victory that was probably a fact of that perfect run. Atomic Twister lost nothing in defeat and was well clear of Moment Of Madness, who held well for third over stablemate Spring Lover, with Carneyman (29.40) an inside third over a tired Dogs Got Wings. The Perfect Day (15.30) was an even seventh over Dial It In (*2.95), who was made the favourite but never really got going from a wide trip, while Rising Light (8.60) sat inside and failed to menace with Coup de Lyon (41.70) fading from contention in the stretch. Water Mummy simply did not have it and could do no better than 11th after his KYD win and was followed in by Palestinian, Missing In Action (22.60) and Cozzene Lyphard, although none of them were beaten by much in a field that was almost as close as the KYD.
Despite the fact that he had only won twice in nine career starts, and never at the highest level, Ned Isakoff was highly backed in the Grade I PRK and much like Water Mummy in the KYD, used the ideal inside run to score as the third-choice over Grade I winner Atomic Twister, who was excellent in second, and the Mb Stables pair of Moment Of Madness and Spring Lover, who both held well for the minor spoils. The top two finishers are both closers who will appreciate the longer distance of the Grade I BEL even more but for Water Mummy, this race proved to be that little bit too much and he might take a bit of time off before coming back for a Summer and Autumn campaign.
Congratulations goes out to owner Jerry Garcia Racing and their three-year-old colt Ned Isakoff, a rail riding winner of the Grade I PRK at PIM!
Prediction Dial It In / Moment Of Madness / Water Mummy / Spring Lover
Winner Ned Isakoff
Three-year-old bay colt
Il Miglio Fabro-Never Laffin (Laffin Policeman)
Owner Jerry Garcia Racing
Time 47.12, 1:10.78, 1:35.53, 1:54.38 (NSR)
Overall
Ned Isakoff 6.55 broke evenly, between horses late, driving
Atomic Twister 5.10 slow into stride, wide into lane, clear second
Moment Of Madness 7.40 pressed forward early, led into stretch, evened out
Spring Lover 10.70 inside run, no late momentum
Carneyman 29.40 passed tired rivals
Dogs Got Wings 37.10 set pace, faded in final furlong
The Perfect Day 15.30 even effort
Dial It In *2.95 wide throughout
Rising Light 8.60 no factor
Coup de Lyon 41.70 pressed wide early, weakened
Water Mummy 11.85 no factor
Palestinian 22.60 brief speed, tired
Missing In Action 22.60 outrun
Cozzene Lyphard 60.95 no late gains
Triple T Racing 🙂
Categories: Grade I, TC 2015-2020, THE TRIPLE CROWN
