Hope Stakes (Grade 3)- $100.000 Purse
DMR- For Two Year Olds
Seven Furlongs on the Dirt
November 11, 2017

In his last start, Powerful Suit had the kind of race that may have seen many trainers move the horse down in class after. After two good races, his effort at PRX was a disappointment, but clearly, that is a blip on the radar for him now. We stated in the preview that there is no way a horse is moved up off of that race if the trainer did not know exactly why it happened. Of course, it could be a simple case of Powerful Suit still being a young two year old, who was only making the fourth start of his career. The odds of 30/1 seemed appropriate, but today would belong to Powerful Suit, as he ran at the front early and never looked back, making it look pretty easy in the process. The winning trainer is Nakamura Stables, and aboard the winner was E Roman, each of whom win this race for the first time in their career. Congratulations to them! The time of the victory was 1:21.89, the third quickest in the history of the stake. Here’s a look at it!

(1/4 Mile- :23.13)- Looking good out of the starting gate would be both our eventual winner, Powerful Suit, who shot out of the gate for Nakamura Stables, as well as Di Farley, for Gdp Inc. Ultimately, the initial advantage went to Di Farley, and these two ran a reasonable opening quarter. A length back would be Barbary Appeal, also from Nakamura Stables, with Powerful Position, from Mb Stables, just to his outside. Another length and a half back, you get the threesome running together, between Gray Dali (Williams9), Laffin Unity (The Sidley Stud), and I Need A Nap (Mcl Stables). The trailer was Sonderkommando, from Barcelona Farms, with about six lengths to make up.

(½ Mile- :46.10)- Soon after the passed the quarter marker, Powerful Suit would move to the front, and Di Farley would not really contest him for the spot. At the top of the turn, Powerful Suit was clearly the best, and Di Farley was beginning to wear out. Barbary Appeal was maintaining a steady stride on the rail in the third position while Laffin Unity began to move forward, leaving the two he had been running with behind. He was looming as a threat for the lead at this point, running even with Powerful Position. Gray Dali, I Need A Nap, and Sonderkommando were not showing anything quite yet.

(Top Of Stretch, 1.5F To Go)- Rounding the turn, Powerful Suit was all by himself. Di Farley could not keep up, and Barbary Appeal was not getting any closer, so Powerful Suit’s lead would be extended to over two and a half lengths as they hit the top of the stretch. Laffin Unity was coming, but was three wide, and had just moved into second himself. It’d take a great effort for him to catch Powerful Suit at this point. Di Farley’s drop caused Powerful Position to have to massively check up while rounding the turn, and thus extending Mb Stables’ winless streak for November in the races I cover. (This is said in jest and respect). Still nothing being shown by the rest of the field.

(Finish- 1:21.89)- In the stretch, there is not much Powerful Suit needed to do then to just cruise to the wire. As long as he maintained his stride, he would be fine, and that’s just how it happened, as he picks up the big win. Laffin Unity inched closer, and got to within about a length and a half, to be second. Behind him, it was a gap of three lengths to the third place I Need A Nap, who woke up from his slumber in the stretch with a strong wide run to get this position. Running fourth would be the post time favorite from Williams9 in a tight photo over Powerful Position. That one could never really recover from being obstructed in the turn. Not to far behind them were Sonderkommando and Barbary Appeal, with Di Farley finishing at the back.

About The Winner- Powerful Suit, trained by Nakamura Stables and ridden by E Roman is a two year old colt by Powerful Appeal (by Commanding) and out of Goddess In A Suit. He was bred in California as a first quarter two year old by Nakamura Stables, the only trainer for which he has ever known. Congratulations to the connections! For Powerful Suit, it is his second win in four starts, and his first stake win of any kind. His career earnings are now $71.040.

Track: Fast
Time: :23   :46   1:09²  1:21⁴

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 4 – 5 Paid 165.60
$1 Trifecta: 4 – 5 – 7 Paid 1,499.50

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES