8/9/2020

 6     DMR      La Jolla Handicap (GIII)

      $125.000        3yo      1 1/16m Turf        Hcp Weights

I think it is safe to say… Raleigh In Doubt likes the grass.  After running a nice third in the Kent Stakes (GIII) the black colt closed down fast in Sunday’s La Jolla Hcp (GIII) on the DMR turf course, scoring the win by a length in a final time of 1:39³ for the mile and a sixteenth graded stakes.  Post time favorite Napoleanic War also came from well off of the pace to take the second spot while 28/1 longshot Laces Out tracked the pace and stayed on for third. 

The seven sophomores loaded into the gate in the chute and were away in good order with Moving Pictures sprinting off to an early lead, Down to the rail for Dawning Drei, Influencer next to that one and Napoleanic War.  Laces Out just off of that trio, then Red Headed Spirit and Raleigh In Doubt was the early trailer.

Under the wire the first time by, and moving around the clubhouse turn, now five and a half furlongs to run and Moving Pictures had a two length advantage on Laces Out.  Another length back to the trio of Dawning Drei o the rail, Influencer between horses and Red Headed Spirit three wide.  Another length and a half back to Raleigh In Doubt and Napoleanic War was saving ground under a snug hold.

The field made their way down the backside and were headed into the far turn as Moving Pictures continued to show the way by a length and a half.  Laces Out wasn’t going away, another length and a half back to Dawning Drei still saving ground, Influencer next to that one, and two more back to the trailing trio of Napoleanic War, Raleigh In Doubt and Red Headed Spirit backed right out of it.

Around the far turn and into the lane, the run to the wire was on as Moving Pictures now had a lead of a half length on Laces Out.  Raleigh In Doubt swung wide for the drive and was gaining with every stride, Napoleanic War now gaining interest and moving up, Dawning Drie still saving ground, Influencer being asked for more and Red Headed Spirit put the cue in the rack.

Deep stretch and to the wire, Raleigh In Doubt, widest of all, went right by them and took the lead, Napoleanic War now passing horses as Laces Out and Moving Pictures couldn’t go on with it, and as they hit the wire, that was the order of finish.  Raleigh In Doubt by a length, Napoleanic War in second by the same, Laces Out taking third by a length and Moving Pictures tiring to be fourth.  Dawning Drie was fifth, Influencer sixth and Red Headed Spirit closed this one out.

Raleigh In Doubt is a 3yo black colt by No Doubt About It – Raleigh Chrome, by Another Gift, and he was bred in NM by Ekli Stable.  This was his fourth win from ten starts and he now has $199.240 in earnings.

$2 Mutuel Prices:
 

Track: Firm                Time: :23³  :46⁴  1:10   1:39³
$1 Exacta: 6 – 3 Paid 14.00               $1 Trifecta: 6 – 3 – 5 Paid 1,749.30
Scratched: None

Raleigh In Doubt under wraps to midway on the far turn, responded when asked, fanned five wide into the lane, won driving.  Napoleanic War settled back early, closed well while no threat to the winner.  Laces Out tracked the pace throughout, weary late.  Moving Pictures broke alertly, set the pace to the furlong marker, tired late.  Dawning Drei ground saving trip to no avail.  Influencer showed early speed while tracking the pace, tired.  Red Headed Spirit raced mid-pack to mid-way on the backside, tired.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES