The Long Island – Grade III
1 1/2 Mile Inner Turf Stake Purse $400.000 Filly & Mare 3 Year Olds And Up.

1st Number Nine       Smokey Stover        Alvarado J

Well after four straight runs making the running that included a BC Fillies and Mares Turf win last time out today either the mare decided she wanted a change or the trainer felt that her arch rival Proud Eights may try and take her on and set a slightly less speedy instruction. If it was Smokey’s decision then fair play as it turned out to be a master stroke to see that Proud Eights from a wide draw may try and set up a speed dual. If it was the mares decision, well played to her because she knew she had the draw to work with and played it perfectly. It may of course just been the AI and the race engine playing the race out with all the usual strengths such as draw, jockey, trip and trainer form in this mares favor.
Whatever it was this mare backed up her BC win with a really strong win from the stalk and i know the trainer will have her lined up with a top stallion in what will be a highly anticipated match up. When that day comes only the trainer knows but this five year old owes no-one anything now.

2nd Intanga Rose        D J C Racing Stables         Ferrer J C

This filly is either brilliant or ordinary and this was one of those good days when we saw the best of her. Tracking the winner throughout she tried really hard to the line but just could not match the BC Champ in the end only going down by a hard fought half length. This would have pleased the trainer who must have been frustrated by this filly more than once and they will be looking forward to a five year old season now with a filly that looks like she will improve with age.

3rd Proud Eights         Mb Stables         Saez L

Whether it was the draw or a tactical decision to send this mare to the lead against her old rival it wasn’t enough to repeat the Waya running and she faded off the lead into third. To be fair to her it wasn’t a bad run after a long and successful season and whether she comes out next year or goes to the shed this will not be the last time we hear her name. What better than seeing a couple of two year olds renew this rivalry into the next generation.

4th Starshipdotcom        TwinTowersRacing       Franco M

Proved again what a genuine trier she is with a battling fourth. She may have been a little outclassed but she battled on and as a three year old i am sure there is a lot more to come next year.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES