La Canada Racehorses Three year old homebred won his second stakes title of his career here at Turfway Park on Saturday, and while he would earn twenty points towards the Derby race, it would shift him from 51st, right up to 13th position!

• Ruby Stakes ( Gr.III ) ( KYD ) – Purse $250.000
• Turfway Park- For Three Year olds
• One Mile and one eighth in distance- Main track

First off before I get into the event as a whole, I must apologize to trainer Crocker Ggs for getting the name of his horse incorrect, calling him Country Medical instead of County Medical. My apologizes.

With that being said, I was surprised that Personal Beliefs come post time was left off as a 13-1 longshot for this affair. First given the track conditions coming up as good, and as a juvenile he already claimed a victory in the slop up at Churchill. As well, Hernandez was already aboard him last May for a MdSpWt65 where he closed late to only miss by a nose in the photo at Woodbine, and I would count that as a victory as well. Surprising was the fact that this field allowed him to dictate the pace for this affair, with pretty much consistent twenty four second fractions through the first three quarters of this affair. Would more then likely like to see an off track come Derby day if he gets a shot, and I hope he and Hernandez will be able to team up once again in the future. As for trainer La Canada Racehorses, this has turn out to be a nice homebred to attack the route events. He has yet to win a TC or BC title, and here is hoping this sophomore fits the bill. Its his second stakes title of the season after Magical Emperor captured the Gander chasing down the front runner to win by a head. It is also his 21st Grade III victory of his career.

Pacing the front runner through out this event would be Scafati ( Fractious ) who was hoping that the leader would start to tire considerably down the lane, but with no pressure being applied to the pace, this Jerome Stakes winner would have to settle for the place purse. Scafati did manage to move up four positions from 25th to 21st, but will need to produce in his next effort if he is to find a spot in this years Derby. Does like to be upfront early, but if he is faced with any kind of speed, he seems to fade down the lane.

Rounding out the top three we have Alydar Stables Deeds Not Words from his rail position. In first asking for this trainer he attempted to try to race without blinkers in his first stakes try, and that was unfruitful. The blinkers were re-added once again and the outcome this time was productive. I doubt we will see any changes in the future for this bay gelding. His 26-1 odds help return a nice $837.300 trifecta payout.

The minor share of purse money benefited County Medical as that 55-1 longshot stalked throughout the affair, and pretty much stayed three lengths shy throughout. Has raced in five straight Grade III events and has yet to find a victory. Had two wins at shorter distances before the add of Bute, so not sure if that is a benefit or a hindrance to his performance. Only the trainer knows that for sure.

Track: Good
Time: :48³  1:12²  1:37  1:50

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 4 – 3 Paid 963.40
$1 Trifecta: 4 – 3 – 1 Paid 837.30

Scratched: Special Combat

Duffer

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES