Going off on the tote at some 29-1 odds come post time, Crocker Ggs and his sophomore Chayse with the help of rider Alan Garcia took home this seasons Gr. II Nijinsky. Graded win number 23 for his trainer, while this would be Chayse’s first ever Graded win.
- Nijinsky Stakes – Grade III – Purse $125.000
- Woodbine Racetrack – For Three years old and up
- One Mile and a Half – E P Taylor Turf
After cashing my $22.400 show ticket on Chayse ( sorry Jeff I put the win on the Number 9 ) I worked my way down to the rail and asked Jeff from Crocker Ggs if we could meet up in the Hoofbeats Lounge for a celebratory drink. I asked if second time Lasix was the answer to his success today, as well as possible change of instructions or the move from California had made an impact. His totally humble response to me is as follows; ” Hey Duff, Lasix was definitely a helper. His idiot trainer (me) didn’t even bother testing adds until May of this year LOL. You have to throw away the previous start because his idiot trainer miscalculated the very awesome company that would be running in that Optional Claimer. Chayse just got demolished in that race by some very good horses. I think that the biggest reason for the nice showing in the Nijinsky was the fact that finally after years of training and all the races along the way, the idiot trainer finally realized that Chayse loves to go LOOOOOOONG routes. Although the horse had some success at the mile and mile and a sixteenth distances, I think he really loves to go the longer distances. As far as moving from California, I don’t think that was it. I’ll be trying him back out on the west coast if the opportunity arises, but I will definitely be looking to keep him running longer routes.
After a lengthy discussion on the race, Jeff added as we got up to leave that there were a lot of talented runners in this years Nijinsky, and there was a bit of good old Schithouse luck involved as well. I reminded him that both two year old Moloko Flo and three year old Kamay would both be post time favorites in their events, and both would break their maiden at the Fort.
From my perspective, Idiot is definitely the wrong word. Jeff never sugar coated the race, or bragged ” of course he was going to win “. He just gave it to me straight and i respected him for his honesty. From a factual side, he’s winning at 21 percent in this his fourth full season ( 2015 was a wash with only eight starts ), in the money percentage of almost 53 %, and a stakes record 243 ( 39-24-35 ) or 40.3 % ITM, and Graded numbers of 140 ( 23-15-16 ) or 38.6 % ITM. To me that sounds more like Intelligence at finding the right placement, Investments at the right level of competition and the Integrity to be himself and respect his fellow horse players. Sounds like a winning combination to me.
Runner-up and completing a $536.300 exacta payout was Aer Stables Video Master, who is not getting the respect he deserves. A 36-1 longshot in the San Juan Cap which he won going some four-fifth of a second faster then today’s pace, and now a 12-1 shot in this affair. The horse definitely has the legs and the stamina to go long, and knowing his trainer, should be looking for another longer affair when he returns.
Rounding out a hefty $1,527.400 trifecta was Team 7 Illusions Cherokee Charlie. Very much like Video Master, he too was coming out of a victory going twelve panels in the Gr. III Louisville Handicap. Has competed now in all but three events on the grass, and the longer the better. has won two of five this season, and in my opinion, we should see a couple more victories before years end.
The minor share was swept up by Gdp Inc. Z Modest One, who was coming off two victories on the grass, but was unable to stay near the front down the lane after being up tight early on.
Rounding out the field of runners were post time favorite Moscow Court ( Wolfs Den ) who faded in the lane to finish fifth. Arg Racingfarms’ Coppertone who was unable to beat the heat and just close to within six lengths for sixth. Wolfs Den’s other entry Green Gambados showed lots of heart early in the event, but lost the steam at the turn for home. The final two runners who finished in the 2:27 range were Joshua Stables Sports Car and Fractious’ Scion Of Decima.
Duffer.
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
