EVD Turf Sprint- $300.000 Purse
EVD- For Three Year Olds and Upward
Five Furlongs on The Turf
May 30, 2015

A storm system that passed through the area left the turf at EVD soft, and led to the scratch of Spanish Destroyer, preventing that gelding from having a chance to extend his winning streak to eight.   Not many in this field had much experience running on off tracks. The favorite Mr Utah, as well as Jus Blazin had never done so in their career. Quasi Normal had only run once on an off track, but even that was listed “good”, so he never had to race in this kind of condition. After this, he may be saying bring it on to the rain. That performance on the “good” track was in the Grade 3 Gallant Bob at PRX way back in September 2013, but he ran well in that, finishing 3rd a length back.   Today, in what was also his return to the turf for the first time in two years, but his turf winning streak is extended to three! Aboard the winner for Night Rider Stables was R Maragh, who ironically has only ridden the horse once prior, and it was in the Gallant Bob. Congratulations to all of the connections in the first ever running of the EVD Turf Sprint. The soft turf time of victory was an impressive :59.21, given the condition. Here’s how it unfolded!

1st- 6- Quasi Normal (19/1)- Quick out of the gate, the Night Rider Stables entry looked comfortable on the turf from the start.   Was able to get a good position for the race’s turn while running in the second lane, and set the opening quarter in a time of :23.30. He maintained the lead throughout the turn, setting the half mile time in :46.83 as he began to distance himself from those that had been running with him, except Mr Utah and the charging Big Bird. Handled the turn better then anyone, and had the field cleared by a length as they entered the stretch run. Once there he never seemed to break stride, even with the challengers getting a little bit closer. In the end, Quasi Normal would pick up the victory and light up the tote board in the process.   The winner was bred in ON by Barcelona Farms, by Simply Awesome Pal and is out of Questing Queen. He was ridden to victory for trainer Night Rider Stables by jockey R Maragh. Congrats to all involved!

2nd- 4- Big Bird (9/2)- It was an average start for Big Bird, but he always looked comfortable as he assumed a stalking position behind the front four for Blushing Meadows. Exiting the turn, the best option for J R Velazquez was to take a wide path into the stretch. He made up some good distance on Quasi Normal, but on this wet track, and with this wide trip, he would not quite have enough to catch the frontrunner.    There’s a lot to like about how he ran today, and we’ll be seeing him again in this type of race, for sure.

3rd- 7- Mr Utah (7/2)- Started quickly for Downwind Stables, running in the middle of a four wide group on the lead. He did well to stay within a length of Quasi Normal throughout the race, but he just could not quite reel him in. Unfortunately for Mr Utah, he also had to contend with Big Bird who was coming on strong on the far outside, and he would concede second to that one in the dying moments. Even though he did not get a win here, it’s good to see Mr Utah run a strong race, as he does in a sense, run counter to a common school of thought in our racing world that horses can not have a rebirth of their success after a period of struggles.

4th- 8- Jus Blazin (12/1)- A good start for the Sanny Village entry, though he had to take the turn about four wide. He was blazing along and feeling fine for the backstretch run and into the turn, but midway into the turn he would start to show that he would not have what it took to win. It wasn’t a rapid drop where the bottom seemed to fall out, he just gradually lost touch as the race progressed during the stretch.   He still gets a fourth place check for his trainer, so there would be some consolation.

5th- 5- Balai Yeux De Feu (5/2)- At the start, all seemed well for Drabfantasy’s betting favorite, with a rail trip and running with the lead group along the first turn. Hung in there with Quasi Normal for a while, but midway through the turn, Balai Yeux De Feu began to drop further back. His stretch run was particularly disappointing.  He needed a big run today and you wonder just how much can be blamed on the weather.

6th- 9- Romantic Beaver (11/1)- The other Drabfantasy entry was not feeling the love for the soft turf early, going promptly to the back. This is notable, because in his prior two races, he had shot out the lead in the early stages. He would stay at the back throughout, and was only able to pass a couple that would tire out more then he would.

7th- 3- Barring Tor (3/1)- The Maxmillion Farm gelding is not known any longer as being a quick starter, and as expected he was near the back early. Unfortunately for the trainer, there would be no closing effort, and in fact he would lose further ground in the turn until the end of the race.

8th- 2- Larry Bird (29/1)- His namesake plays a sport that will have a stoppage of play any time there is moisture on the court, in any capacity.    The equine version seemed to have a stoppage in any running interest for this race on the soft turf. There will be better days for Halo Thoroughbreds with this horse.

Track: Soft
Time: :23¹  :46⁴  :59¹

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 6 – 4 Paid 127.10
$1 Trifecta: 6 – 4 – 7 Paid 285.60

Scratched: Spanish Destroyer

— NS

Categories: Ungraded