The Hill Prince (Grade 2)- $275.000 Purse
BEL- For Three Year Olds
One Mile on the Turf
October 12, 2020

It was a wet one on Monday in the Northeast, much as was expected. This left the turf course soft, and trainers hoping that their entries would turn into wet track stars. For Ohtani, this was nothing new, as he would be making his third start in four races on soft turf. He had not won any of those, but going back a little further, you could see that he broke his maiden with this same track condition. Others in the field had gotten used to this as well, but Ohtani would handle it the best on this day, getting the first win in the stake for trainer Sccj Stables. Aboard the winner was J R Velazquez, and he wins for the second time. Congratulations to them! The time of the race was 1:37.29. Here’s a look at it.

1st- 6- Ohtani (Sccj Stables) (15/1)- The eventual winner was the quickest out of the gate, but would ultimately be second by the time they reached a quarter mile, as Hollywood Estrella ended up going by him. He would also not react to the move of Brave Diplomat, sticking with whatever the plan was. At the top of the turn, he was still third, but two and a half lengths from the lead. Held his line for most of the turn, but approaching its exit, he would make a three wide move in preparation for a strong stretch run. This moved him up to second, and now within a length of City Watch. In the stretch, City Watch put up more of a fight than he may have been expecting and Bannister was coming on. But Ohtani kept digging in, and ends up getting a win by a neck.

2nd- 4- Bannister (John Henry) (9/1)- Began the race running in the middle of the field, in the second lane and running a length behind Ohtani. Backed up during the backstretch, into the clutches of Kowloon City while his stablemate made a forward move. Followed Ohtani during the turn before moving to the rail, and began moving forward about the same time as that one did. This helped him get by others, but still had that pesky length to make up on Ohtani. He would never really be able to do that, despite running very well in the stretch, but is able to nip his stablemate for second place bragging rights.

3rd- 12- City Watch (John Henry) (9/2)- Started well from the outside, and would run three wide in the middle of the field, right alongside his stablemate, Bannister. When Brave Diplomat made his aggressive move in the backstretch, City Watch went right with him, and would be second by a length going into the turn. Ran well there, and held a shrinking lead into the stretch. Fought valiantly and better than I thought he would, and because of this he is able to hang on for the third place check.

4th- 3- Preservationist (Alydar Stables) (8/1)- On the rail as a part of a group of three that was in the middle of the field, stalking the stalkers. In the backstretch, he would lose some ground, and dropped five lengths off the pace. Continued to run steadily, but was not able to find an added gear when others around him did, instead waiting a little longer to do so, it seemed. Once he began moving, he may have been the fastest horse on the track, but it was all for not, other then the fourth place spoils.

5th- 1- Sweet Sweat (Mb Stables) (7/2)- In what has been a busy day for him, running here and already being a stud to eight foals (at last check), he would be near the back of the field throughout the backstretch trip. Moved to the rail at the top of the stretch, but still had to make up five lengths. Moved forward on the rail, but could not crack the top four on this day. He’ll be fine, the mares were calling anyway.

6th- 8- Brave Diplomat (Nakamura Stables) (6/1)- Stalked the leader early, and would also run to the outside of Ohtani within the first couple furlongs. That would quickly change, as he would zip to the front for the rest of the backstretch trip and almost looked like he was going to open up a big lead. Led with City Watch going into the turn, but by the end of it, he had fallen to third, with more on the way about to pass him.

7th- 7- Atomic Eclipse (La Canada Racehorses (11/1)- Would not make us look good for picking him here. He was the early trailer, conceding six lengths to the leader, and he ride it out over the backstretch, eventually being as many as nine lengths out. Closed the gap, but was never a factor.

8th- 5- Take Control (Fractious) (56/1)- Ran towards the back of the field early, right alongside Sweet Sweat, four and a half lengths from the lead. Stayed there for the backstretch, and was never able to make his presence felt.

9th- 9- Hollywood Estrella (Estero Farms) (4/1)- Was surprised to see this one run, given his struggles on off tracks, and this would be more of the same. However, he did get a chance to lead early.

10th- 2- Kowloon City (Nakamura Stables) (10/1)- After being near the front early, he would simply put forth an ugly effort, finishing ten lengths behind Hollywood Estrella.

About The Winner- Ohtani, trained by Sccj Stables and ridden to victory by J R Velazquez, is a three year old gelding by Asset Class, and is out of Hollywood Abs. He was bred in California by the trainer as a first quarter two year old, and they have been together throughout. Congratulations to the connections! The win is his third in 13 starts, and it is his second graded win. His career earnings are now $430.200.

Track: Soft
Time: :24³  :49²  1:13²  1:37¹

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 6 – 4 Paid 111.90
$1 Trifecta: 6 – 4 – 12 Paid 1,447.50

Scratched: Jacks Full, Divos Moon Shot

— NS

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES