Vinery Madison (Grade 1)- $300.000 Purse
KEE- For Fillies and Mares Four Years Old and Upward
Seven Furlongs on the Dirt
April 3, 2021

Approximately seven weeks of rest came in handy for Tenrikyo, looking to rebound from a disappointing effort in the Fritchie, when she only had three weeks of rest. The mare by Grandeur ran near the front throughout the race to secure the victory. That win is the second consecutive in the race for Smokey Stover, as he won last year with Z Command, today’s fourth place finisher. They represent each of his wins in the race’s history thus far. Aboard the winner was S R Bahen, a first time winner. The race was run in a time of 1:21.62, the fastest winning time since 2012. Let’s take a look!

(¼ Mile- :23.14)- Two of our runners start very quickly out of the gate as Grayte Catch, from Patterson Stables, and Sweep The Pigs, out of Nolespan Racing, would fight for the early advantage. It would be Grayte Catch getting that, by half a length, after a quarter mile. Behind the two front runners, they were three wide, and our eventual winner, Smokey Stover’s ran in the outside lane of them, and had third by a neck. To her inside would be Orange Beach (Mb Stables) on the rail, and The Belle Tolls (Fractious), in the middle. It’s another length to Christina G (Mb Stables), who runs right behind Tenrikyo. To her inside are Z Command (Smokey Stover) and Empire World (Maxmillion Farm).

(½ Mile- :46.10)- Not too drastic happens during this portion of the race, though Grayte Catch extends her lead to a length on Sweep The Pigs, but that may have been a result of the latter’s inability to keep up the pace. Tenrikyo prepares to make this pass, something that was imminent soon in the turn. Further back, Christina G looked to have some plans of a four wide move before deciding against it, for now, and staying behind Tenrikyo.

(Top of Stretch, 1.7F To Go)- Grayte Catch continues to be the leader, but Tenrikyo is beginning to make her move. She completed the pass of Sweep The Pigs in the turn, and was now half a length from the lead, so it would take a lot for Grayte Catch to be able to hold her off at this point. Sweep The Pigs remained third as Christina G still had almost two lengths to make up on Tenrikyo in the stretch, if she was going to have a chance.

(Finish- 1:21.62)- Tenrikyo seemed to take control in the stretch when she got by Grayte Catch, but a great bid, very late in the stretch by Christina G made Smokey Stover hold his breath for a moment. This would result in a close photo, but it would be Tenrikyo hanging on over Christina G for the second spot. Grayte Catch ran consistently enough in the stretch to get the third place check; over Z Command and Empire World, who dead heat for fourth. The Belle Tolls was a disappointing no show tonight, and Sweep The Pigs dropped to the back.

About The Winner- Tenrikyo, trained by Smokey Stover, and ridden to victory by S R Bahen, is a five year old mare by Grandeur, is out of Set Sail. She was bred in Florida by Smokey Stover as a second quarter two year old, the only trainer for which she has ever known. Congratulations to the connections! The win is her ninth in 22 starts, and her seventh graded win, four of which are Grade 1’s. Her career earnings are now $2,532.360.

Track: Fast
Time: :23   :46   1:09²  1:21³

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 6 – 7 Paid 30.80
$1 Trifecta: 6 – 7 – 5 Paid 503.40

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES