Alcibiades – Grade I [BC]
1 1/16 Mile Dirt Stake Purse $400.000 Filly 2 Year Olds.
1st Never Forgotten D J C Racing Stables Bejarano R
Three things were made clear in this race. Firstly draw and pace are the key when all the horses that run in these stakes races are soo close in ability. Secondly, you dont have to have multiple entries to win and thirdly DJC certainly has a knack of finding these good juvenile types.
So why was this horse fourth in the Pocahontas in a similar time but first today. Well today off a slightly faster early pace the draw of one allowed her to lay up much closer than she did last time out. And thats it….yes its that simple. Today she was never further than four lengths away and pushed through to win by a comfortable three quarters of a length and last time from a wider draw she went seven lengths off the slower pace in order to get closer to the rail which for some reason is so ingrained in the HRP race engine that it is the difference between winning and losing. Of course DJC may have clicked his mouse and changed the outcome but this horses running style looks pretty much set in stone so i doubt that was the case.
So this daughter of Mr Creepy marches on to the BC and will have a great chance as long as the lottery of jockeys, draw and pace goes her way.
2nd Risen Day Mb Stables Talamo J
You can pretty much just read what i wrote about Never Forgotten in summarizing this ones run. A closing sixth that day from a wide draw, a much better run for second today off a better draw.
3rd Drink Me Pretty Jader Stable Gaffalione T
Went to the front around halfway and kept on really gamely for third beaten under a length. This was a gritty performance for a filly that had never gone beyond five and a half furlongs.
4th Bite The Bullet Mb Stables Velazquez J R
Closed nicely for fourth.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES