The 19th Running of the G2 GP Mile

March 5, 2022 16:15

GP Race #12 $200.000 1-Mile

4+ 124/119 lbs (plus penalties)

Track/Stakes Record-1:33.20 (Noble Y Guapo-2012)

Can someone pass the salt and pepper?  This crow goes down a lot better with some seasoning.  Sexy Back, dismissed by this author and the public at large (nearly 175-1 at post time), was a decisive winner of Saturday’s $200.000 G2 GP Mile.  Completing the one-mile journey on the main track in 1:34.45, Sexy Back was almost two-lengths better than Howl Of The Hound with Hollywood Eclipse another three-quarters of a length back in third.

Sexy Back raced without cover while sixth as Hollywood Eclipse won the early pace battle as he was tracked by four horses determined not to let him get too far in front as he completed the opening quarter-mile in :23.40.  Sexy Back was a good two lengths off of the last of the pursuing quartet but he was on the rail.

The field shifted a bit as Hollywood Eclipse covered four furlongs in a sharp :46.58 and the quartet separated into two duos.  This complicated things for Sexy Back as he was forced off of the rail to go by Fair On Friday who was beginning to retreat.  The winner tipped-out to the five-path through the remainder of the turn, and by the time Hollywood Eclipse reached the quarter pole in 1:09.94, he was in full flight and on even terms with the 2nd flight.

Inside the final furlong, Sexy Back displayed a powerful turn of foot and was moving best of all when he grabbed the lead approaching the sixteenth pole.  From that point the only question was the margin.  Crossing the wire unopposed, Sexy Back was almost two full lengths in front of Howl Of The Hound.  It was another half-length to Hollywood Eclipse who held-off the late run of Graciously to hold the show honors.  Graciously was followed home by Sinissippi Cherokee, Sinissipi Magic, and Fair On Friday.

With the win, Sexy Back improves his career mark to 28-5-3-5 with earnings of $539.200.  Congratulations to Night Rider Stables and Sexy Back for their victory in the G2 GP Mile.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES