4/9/22

 6  AQU       The Carter Hcp (GI)

     $300.000    4yo&Up     7f Dirt     Handicap Weights

It was a wet and blustery day in NY and The Carter Hcp (GI) was an upset special as Spankys Barn’s Puppet Master, sent off at    13/1 odds showed little interest in the early stages of this prestigious race, but when the money was on the line, he was all business, getting home in 1:23³ for the seven furlongs, and winning by a length.  Howl Of The Hound, still looking for his first win since last year’s PRK (GI), was a game second with rank outsider, Man With A Plan, dismissed at 75/1 odds taking third.  It took a photo to sort out the minor money with Winchester winning the nose-bob and minor share.

The field loaded into the gate for this extended sprint and were away with Freddo Cappuccino and Graciously head-and-head for the early advantage, Old Speckled Hen from the outside, Winchester from the rail and Etf Funds between horses, giving chase, another gap to Man With A Plan, Puppet Master from the rail, howl Of The Hound between horses and Crimson Dragon was the early trailer.

Down the backside and now moving into the far turn with three and a half furlongs to run and the dueling duo of Graciously and Freddo Cappuccino still going at it on the front end.  a long gap to Winchester in third, Old Speckled Hen tracking two wide, Etf Funds on his inside, Howl Of The Hound was next, back down to the rail for Puppet Master, another length to Man With A Plan then a long gap to the trailer, Crimson Dragon.

Around the far turn and into the home stretch, they move past the three-sixteenths pole and right n queue, we had ourselves a horse race.  The speed duel had taken it’s toll on Freddo Cappuccino and Graciously… the lead was now less than a length as Winchester was moving up the inside, Howl Of The Hound pressing forward next to that one, then a wall of four… all moving forward.

Now inside the final sixteenth, Puppet Master with a late kick and he surged up to go to the lead Man With A Plan closing fast down the far outside with Howl Of The Hound right next to him, full of run… Freddo Cappuccino continuing to go in the wrong direction, Winchester on his inside as the rest were staggering home.

Deep stretch and to the finish, this was Puppet Master pulling all of the stings as the bay gelding went under the wire in front by a length.  Howl Of The Hound closed well to take the second spot by a head over Man With A Plan, then a length to Winchester in fourth winning the photo over Freddo Cappuccino in fifth and Crimson Dragon is sixth.  Another length to Graciously in seventh, Etf Funds eighth and Old Speckled Hen closed this one out.          

Puppet Master is a 6yo gelded son of Controlled Hook – Cheeky Gal, by Cherokee Sunset, and he was bred in Cal by Barcelona Farms.  Acquired by Spankys Barn via claim for just $5.000, he now has three wins from eighteen starts and earrings of $351.520.  The old boy only seems to be getting better with age!  Congrats to the connections!    

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Muddy     Time: :23   :46³  1:11   1:23³
$1 Exacta: 1 – 6 Paid 84.80      $1 Trifecta: 1 – 6 – 2 Paid 1,577.70
Scratched: Twin Virtues

Puppet Master unhurried early, ground saving trip, accelerated when asked on the turn, moved to 2p for the drive, kicked clear inside the final sixteenth, won driving.  Howl Of The Hound rated back travelling in the 3p, moved to the 4p into the far turn, fanned for the drive, second best.  Man With A Plan broke in hand and taken back early, lacked room into the far turn moving to 4p for running room, fanned widest for the drive, good late effort.  Winchester tracked speed duel from a rail position, no excuse.  Freddo Cappuccino on or pressed the pace to the furlong marker, tied.  Crimson Dragon trailed, passed tiring rivals.  Graciously on or pressed the pace to the furlong pole, tired.  Eft Funds was no factor.  Old Speckled Hen flashed early speed, folded.  

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES