3  CD   Commonwealth Turf (GIII)

      $125.000    3yo      1 1/16m Turf        122lbs

Ol’ Jerry Reed was right, when you’re hot, you’re hot!!  And Smokey is HOT.  Per his usual tactic, the Smokey Stover trained Oxford Manor fired when asked and cruised home to win the Commonwealth Turf (GIII) over the firm turf at CD.  Sunday Phunnies ran a big race to end up a length back in second, then Hefner another length back in third, just in front of Cartomancist in fourth.

The field got away from the gate in good order with Sunday Phunnies and Multiple Shadows showing good early speed, the trio of Hefner, Oxford Manor and Catomancist tracking that pair, Man Childe and Crack Dab moving together and Warino was the early trailer.

Around the clubhouse turn and on to the back stretch, Multiple Shadows dashing off to lead by two.  Sunday Phunnies along the hedge, then a length to a five wide Warino, Hefner just inside of that one, then Cartomancist on the hedge.  Man Childe was between horses, Oxford Manor to his outside and another length and a half to Crack Dab, still at the back of the pack.

Continue down the backside and around the far turn, the field was moving into the lane with two furlongs to run and Multiple Shadows continued to show the way by a length and a half.  Sunday Phunnies wasn’t going away and tracked the leader, Hefner a length back in third, Oxford Manor in striking position just inside that one and Warino fanning out five wide.  Another length to a ground saving Cartomancist, Man Childe on his flank and Crack Dab still trailed. 

Down the lane and now inside the furlong marker, things were heating up…  four across the track.  Oxford Manor up to stick a nose in front of Sunday Phunnies, Multiple Shadows trying to find more and Hefner down the center of the track.  Another length to Cartomancist on the hedge, Man Childe with a clear path and Warino extremely wide with Crack Dab still at the rear.

Deep stretch and down to the wire, it was Oxford Manor pulling away and cruising under the wire to win by a length.  Sunday Phunnies continued on well for the second spot, a half length in front of Hefner.  Man Childe was fourth, Cartomancist in fifth, Multiple Shadows tiring down the final yards to be sixth, Crack Dab nosed out for seventh and Warino closed this one out.

Oxford Manor is a 3yo gelded son of Ye Charley – Goddess Mania, by Caught Red Hoofed and he was bred in Cal by his owner, Smokey Stover.  This was his sixth win from fifteen starts, five of those wins coming this season, and this was his first graded win.  He now shows earnings of $351.400.  Congratulations to the connections and to Oxford Manor. 

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Firm    Time: :23²  :47   1:10¹  1:39²
$1 Exacta: 2 – 7 Paid 19.90       $1 Trifecta: 2 – 7 – 3 Paid 32.40
Scratched: None

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES