The Kelso Handicap-GIII (P3)
                          BEL Race 5 1M- Dirt
                             Purse $300.000
                       Three Year Olds and Up

1st Nice Dive, trained by Threshold

Well the free track freak ended up sort of surprised me because I definitely saw him as a horse who preferred the turf but he ran a very big race on the dirt in here. He was right up there near the pace early on and drew off late in the stretch drive. He ran in 1:34.36 and earned a nice $180.000.

2nd Made To Sin, trained by John Henry

Well this horse also ran a very good race and was giving his all do the whole way. He sat very close to pace early and then decided to take the lead midway through the race and it almost paid off for him. He ran a very good race and almost got a very big win but was just edged out by a half of a length.

3rd Royal Eclipse, trained by Chili King Stables

Kind of a horse who I sort of threw out because I didn’t think he had much of a chance but he really proved me wrong with a very strong third place finish from a little ways back. He was rolling down the lane but he couldn’t get to the leaders but still ran on for third to only get beaten by two lengths.

4th Highest Esteem, trained by Axeman

The old classy gelding ran another pretty strong race in here and he was rolling pretty strong from behind but just didn’t have enough gas in the tank to mow them all down. He still ran on pretty strong and only ended up getting beat by a total of two lengths. He ran pretty good and gives his all every time.

Summary

Well it was a pretty exciting race this year in the Kelso Handicap and the free track monster from way back at the beginning of the year ended up getting the money and got the biggest win of his career. This could propel him on to bigger and better things. Congratulations to Nice Dive and Threshold.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES