9/25/21

   6    BEL     The Athenia (GIII)

   $200.000    3yo&Up F&M   1 1/8m    innerTurf     3yo 120lbs  Older 124lbs +penalties

The tote-board took a beating and so did the favorites in Saturday’s Athenia (GIII), with the ladies going a mile and an eighth on the inner Turf, here at BEL.  When this one shook out, Out Athletes’ Saddle Up set the pace throughout and proved best by a half length, getting under the wire in 1:45.83 for the first time this race was run at the distance (previously, this was a mile and a sixteenth race).  Rose Petals chased the winner around the track but couldn’t get any closer, settling for the place and was a length better than 99/1 Catnip Crusader in third.  Bagina was fourth. 

Saddle Up is a 3yo gray filly by Lord High Admiral – Saddle Happy, by Growl, and she was bred in KY by her owner, Our Athletes.  This was her fourth win from nine starts, her third win in a row and her first graded score.  She’s won four of her last five starts, now shows lifetime earnings of $266.770, and looks to be a horse on the rise… so, keep an eye on her!  Congrats to the connections! 

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Firm             Time: :47   1:10¹  1:33³  1:45⁴
$1 Exacta: 5 – 3 Paid 37.00              $1 Trifecta: 5 – 3 – 4 Paid 973.30
Scratched: Ete Creek

Saddle Up sharp break, gained rail position prior to the first turn, set the pace throughout, held sway late, lasted.  Rose Petals tracked the pace 2p first turn, 3p for the drive, gaining late, settled.  Catnip Crusader lacked interest while never far from the leader, best foot too late.  Bagina sat off of the pace, late gain, no threat to the top pair.  Common Misconception tracked the pace, tired inside late.  Faincifully raced in hand, swung widest for the drive, nothing left. 

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES