Modesty Handicap (Grade 3)- $150.000 Purse
AP- For Fillies and Mares Three Years Old and Upward
One Mile and Three Sixteenths on the Turf
July 13, 2019
Two days ago, we had a field of six going to post for the Modesty Handicap. Thanks to rain making the turf soft, that field size was cut in half. Only three would run in this race, leaving the race a disappointment. Now, before someone gets upset about that statement, or thinks it is a disservice to any of the three horses that ran, especially to the winner, Sandset, the statement has nothing to do with the horses, and everything to do with a Grade 3 race only running with a field of three. In defeating his two opponents, Sandset gives trainer Smokey Stover and jockey M Murrill each their first win in the stake. Congratulations to the winner! The time of the win on soft turf was 1:57.37. I’m not going to spend much time breaking down a three horse race. Here is a brief summary.
1st – Sandset (6/5)- Our eventual winner wasted no time going to the front for Smokey Stover. Pressured a bit by Summer Beauty, but made quick work of her in the backstretch. The lead was four moving into the turn. At the top of the stretch, this race was essentially over, as neither challenger even got close.
2nd- Agenda (2/5)- The post time favorite from Mb Stables dropped way back early, and had an eight length deficit midway though the backstretch, and it increased to ten as they reached the final turn. Made up about half that ground, but did not do much here today.
3rd- Summer Beauty (38/1)- Started a lot better then she finished as the Spankys Barn entry challenged Sandset before losing contact in the backstretch and eventually falling way out of it.
About the winner– Sandset, trained by Smokey Stover, and ridden to victory by M Murrill, is a four year old filly by Cherokee Sunset, and is out of Sandbar. She was bred in New York by Team 7 Illusions as a yearling, and acquired by Smokey Stover in private sales this May for $350.000. Congratulations to the connections! The win is her third in 22 starts, and her second stake win. Her career earnings are now $576.200.
| ## | Horse Name | Owner Name | Jockey | Odds | Fin | Time | SRF | |||
|
Sandset | Smokey Stover | Murrill M | 1.20 | 16 | 1:57.37 | ||||
|
Agenda | Mb Stables | Valdivia J Jr | 0.40 | 215 | 1:58.65 | ||||
|
Summer Beauty | Spankys Barn | Emigh C A | 37.80 | 3 | 2:01.82 |
Track: Soft
Time: :512 1:154 1:391 1:571
$2 Mutuel Prices:
| 1 – Sandset | 4.40 |
Scratched: Change Perception, Z Fan, Destination Ny(L)
— NS
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
