The 15th Running of The Marine Stakes-G3
June 27, 2021 WO Race #7
$150.000 3YO 1 1/16 Dirt
C/G 123 Lbs F 118 Lbs + Penalties
Stakes Record-1:41.58 (Return Home-2017)
Track Record-1:39.28 (One For The Road-2012)
It was a fast track on a beautiful summer Saturday at WO where Ricki Tikki Tavi became the first G3 Marine Stakes winner for trainer La Canada Racehorses and jockey J. Stein. The Bright Command gelding completed the 1 1/16 on the fast main track in a very respectable 1:41.63, just missing the stakes record.
For the most part, this was a race that was decided the first time the horses passed under the judges’ view as those who were in a forward position fared much better than those behind the 3rd flight. It was Walk The Moon leading the pack the first time by with Ricki Tikki Tavi, Sweetly Chai, and Princess Jasmine in hot pursuit. As the horses approached the first turn, it appeared that the two Greyfriars Stable runners, Walk The Moon and Sweetly Chai were trying to settle a schoolyard grudge as the were alone in front. After a first quarter in :23.55, Rotarian was the first horse to make a move as he tried to get position on the four horses he was grouped with (Ricki Tikki Tavi, Hint Of Sugar, Princess Jasmine, and Invade The Storm).
On the backstretch, Sweetly Chai started turning up the pressure on Walk The Moon with the the five horses occupying the second flight appearing happy to let the Greyfriars’ sophomores bust each other up. As the horses neared the far turn, our eventual winner started to ease his way off of the two rail and into the three path for clear run. Stein’s move caused Rotarian and Hint Of Sugar to move out to the four and five path, respectively. After three quarters in 1:10.88, Sweetly Chai disposed of Walk The Moon and Ricki Tikki Tavi started to launch his bid in earnest.
As the field straightened out for the stretch drive, it was clear there were two races being run; the battle for the win would be decided by Sweetly Chai and Ricki Tikki Tavi while Hint Of Sugar and Rotarian would try to hold their places from the hard-charging duo of Invade The Storm and Noble Decision, the latter being the only horse to make a move from further back than a stalking position. With a furlong to go, Ricki Tikki Tavi finally wore down his stubborn rival; however, Sweetly Chai did not just wither and die when he was headed.
The last 1/8 of a mile was the best part of the race. Ricki Tikki Tavi would get 1/2 length ahead and Sweetly Chai would get back to his throatlatch. Stride for stride, these two sophomores summoned all of their heart and class in a battle of wills. In the end, Ricki Tikki Tavi reached the wire first with Sweetly Chai 1/4 of a length off of him. In the battle for the minors, Noble Decision would get up for 3rd as he just got his nose down before Invade The Storm.
Ricki Tikki Tavi earned $90.000 for the win as we as four all important BC points. Sweetly Chai earned $30.000 (two BC points) for the place and Noble Decision earned $24.000 (one BC point) With the win, Ricki Tikki Tavi ran his record to 13-5-1-1 for earnings of $407.600 and is now on a two-race winning streak. Congratulations to La Canada Racehorses and Ricki Tikki Tavi, the winners of the 2021 G3 Marine Stakes!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
