The 18th Running of the G2 Secretariat Stakes

Saturday, August 13, 2022

CD Race #2 $300.000

3Yos 122 Lbs 1-Mile (T)

Track Record-1:32.47 (Bluegrass Cat-2022)

Stakes Record-1:32.69 (Bold Express/Kings Poker-2020/2021)

After a lackluster barn debut last month, Penal Hockey Party came back in a big way in the $300.000 G2 Secretariat at CD.  Saturday’s 1-mile victory was the 4th career tally for the 3yo gelding, his 2nd in a stake, and 1st graded trophy.  The son of Penal Code has now won $400.540 in a 9-4-1-1 career.

Always prominent from stall three, Penal Hockey Party raced between runners in the two-path as he battled One Twenty Five and Pride In The Ride through fractions of :23.35 and :46.39 before putting both of those runners away as he rounded the turn from the rail.

After posting three-quarters in 1:09.28, the Maxmillion Farm-trainee took a one length advantage into the stretch.  Though he was running strongly down the lane, Penal Hockey Party was all-out to fend off a pair of fresh challengers from further back in the field as Distant Volcano and Cascade King were eating into their respective margins.  In the end, the top three were separated by just over a half length as Penal Hockey Party struck the wire in 1:33.07 and a neck in front of Distant Volcano.  The latter was himself a neck in front of Cascade King with Pride In The Ride another length and a half back in fourth.  Completing the order of finish were Grayte Lion, Declassified Eros, and One Twenty Five.

Congratulations to Penal Hockey Party and Maxmillion Farm!

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES