The Forego (Grade 1)- $450.000 Purse
SAR- For Four Year Olds and Upward
Seven Furlongs on the Dirt
August 29, 2020

Last year, there were six horses that ran in the Forego that would later take part in the BC Sprint. Therefore, we could be excited over the field that would run here on Saturday, even if the rain came and made the track muddy. In a thrilling finish, we can expect to see more of the same in a couple months over BC time. For now, though, we have a Grade 1 to talk about and the Fractious trained Reach For A Latte would prevail in a tight photo. There was probably an additional grin to beat out Con Artist, his new rival, and a horse that was once part of this stable that he sold for a big price. The win is the first in the Forego for both Fractious and jockey A Beschizza. Congratulations to them! Also, note that Peculiar Sensation was scratched for the race, allowing Prato Gentile into the field, for Sharis Stables, as an also eligible. The race was won in a time of 1:24.42. Let’s take a look!

(¼ Mile- :22.84)- Prato Gentile makes the most of coming into the field as well, with the Sharis Stables trained entry being pushed to the lead from the outside. He will have a battle there with Sinissippi Star, who is owned by D J C Racing Stables. These two battle with one another, and pull out to a two length advantage over the rest of the field in the backstretch. Once back those lengths, things are clustered pretty close together with Out On A Limb (Estero Farms) having a head in front of Global Strike (Fractious) to his immediate outside, and Admiration (Mb Stables) in the fifth lane. Between them, approximately a length back are our eventual top two finishers. First we have Tallmadge Star, running well for Oquinn Farm, and then the ultimate victor, Reach For A Latte, who was about four lengths off the leaders. A three wide group consisting of, from inside to outside, Wrecking Havoc (John Henry), Snake Authorization (John Henry), and Gifted Man (Spankys Barn) are next in line, and trailing are Con Artist (Smokey Stover) and Pulpit (D J C Racing Stables).

(Top of Stretch, 1.7F To Go)- Out in front, Prato Gentile is continuing to show the way. Would he be able to maintain this form, or would his legs eventually give in? That question was already answered for Sinissippi Star, who had been running with him, and was tiring. Further back in the field, a big difference between Reach For A Latte and Tallmadge Star’s day actually came while running in the turn. There had been room between Global Strike and Admiration for both of them to come on through, but only Reach For A Latte would do this. Tallmadge Star simply maintained his position. Rounding the turn, Reach For A Latte made up considerable ground, and emerged at the top of the stretch being under two lengths back. Meanwhile, Tallmadge Star had to maneuver traffic now as Global Strike tried to remain in the mix and Out On A Limb was not going anywhere. Wrecking Havoc was looking to come through to his inside as well. Further back, Con Artist was making a move, but had to swing way outside to do so as he looked to complete the trifecta for Smokey Stover in the three races I covered this week.

(Finish- 1:24.42)- Reach For A Latte reached for the victory in the stretch, and it really helped him here that he was a length ahead of the wall of horses forming behind him. This would make Prato Gentile his only target, and a pass he would make in due time. However, that wall starting closing in on him very strongly as the wire approached, with Tallmadge Star making a great run directly to his outside, and Con Artist hoping to pull a Carnoustie for Smokey Stover and get a head in front just in time. Gifted Man had a steady and consistent race up to this point, and was another strong runner in the stretch, and was looking to pull this off late as well. At the wire, and in the photo, it was all about the headbob, and for Reach For A Latte, it would be enough to pull out a very slim victory over Tallmadge Star in particular, but rival Con Artist as well. Gifted Man is close by to them in fourth, narrowly over Out On A Limb. Rounding out the order, it is Wrecking Havoc, Prato Gentile, Global Strike, Snake Authorization, Sinissippi Star, Admiration, and Pulpit.

About The Winner- Reach For A Latte, trained by Fractious and ridden to victory by A Beschizza, is a five year old gelding by Reached A Settlement, and is out of Peppermint Latte. He was bred by First Class Stable in Kentucky as a third quarter two year old and acquired by Fractious, via Saratoga Stud, in private sales in November 2019 for $200.000. Congratulations to the connections! The win is his sixth in 24 starts, and his fourth stake win, all of which are graded. This is his first Grade 1 win, and his career earnings are now $968.600.

Track: Muddy
Time: :22⁴  :46¹  1:11¹  1:24²

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 9 – 12 Paid 52.90
$1 Trifecta: 9 – 12 – 8 Paid 112.60

Scratched: Peculiar Sensation

— NS

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES