14 SA BC Distaff (GI)
$2,000.000 1 1/8m Dirt F&M 3yo&Up 3yo 122lbs, Older 124lbs
My own issue with post positions cost me big in this one… I loved Z Command, but I thought the fourteen hole would be too much to overcome. WRONG! Using her tactical speed to save ground and stay in striking range, the Smokey Stover trained monster fought off every challenger down the lane and won the BC Distaff (GI) by a half length, getting the mile and an eighth in 1:47.99. Stable-mate Tenrikyo closed well to make a race out of it, with 60/1 shot Totally Baroque coming on strong for third. Viking Vania was fourth after doing the heavy lifting, setting the pace.
The gate was loaded to the hilt, both in numbers and ability, as as the bell rang and the gates sprung open Z Command was on the early lead, Cannolo sprinting to the rail, Elegant, Ineffable and Viking Vania showing speed from the outside. Tenrikyo, Charo moving together, another length to Totally Baroque, Misty Firefox between horses, High On Haggis in the middle of the track and Blue Caviar skimming the rail. Another length to Ghost In The Shell, then Cardi B and Fair On Friday slowest away.
Moving around the clubhouse turn and nearing the backside with a bit more than six furlongs to run, Viking Vania moved up to take the lead, Elegant just to her inside, then a length back to Cannolo on the rail. Ineffable on that one’s flank, Z Command rated back after that early speed to skim the rail, Charo next to that one, Ghost In The Shell three wide, then a length back to Blue Caviar saving ground, Tenrikyo and Totally Baroque between horses and High On Haggis caught four wide through the turn. Another length back to Fair On Friday, three wide, Misty Firefox on the rail and Carid B between then and at the rear.
Making their way down the backside and to the far turn with three and a half furlongs left, Viking Vania continued to show the way by three-quarters of a length, and Elegant was shadowing her. A gap of two and a half lengths, Z Command on the rail, Cannolo between horses and Ineffable three wide, tracking that leading duo, another length and a half to a wall that included Tenrikyo, and Charo between horses, Ghost In the Shell from the outside, Blue Caviar still on the rail, then another length and a half back to Totally Baroque, Fair On Friday next to that one, Cardi B on the inside and High On Haggis four wide, and Misty Firefox was now the trailer.
Around the far turn and to the top of the lane, this race was heating up quickly… Viking Vania saw her lead dwindle down as Elegant was now eyeing her from the inside and Z Command ranged up quickly from the outside, now three across the track. Behind those the field was moving, some forward, some back, but still moving with Tenriko being asked for more, Cannolo saving ground and right in the thick of it, Charo with running room and Ineffable right next to her. Ghost In The Shell was moving from the far outside, Totally Baroque next to her and the rest needed to get moving as the dash for cash was in full bloom.
Inside the final 100 yards and to the wire, Z Command had command, Tenrikyo fighting on and Totally Baroque down the outside with Viking Vania, Charo and Cannolo… but as they hit the wire, there was no denying Z Command and she took the win by a half length. Tenrikyo was second by a quarter length, then Totally Baroque a quarter length back in third. Viking Vania was fourth, just a neck in front of Charo, and another neck back to Cannolo in sixth. Another quarter length back to Fair On Friday, Elegant in eighth, Ghost In The Shell ninth, Cardi B was tenth, Misty Firefox, Ineffable tiring to be twelfth, Blue Caviar was thirteenth and High On Haggis closed this one out.
Z Command is a 3yo chestnut filly by Goo Authority – Z Broke One, by Z Jinxed One, and she was bred in PA by Joshua Stables. Acquired by Smokey Stover for $575.000 via private sale, she now shows five wins from fifteen starts, two of those wins for the new connections, and she has banked $2,462.200. Congratulations to the connections and to this fine, fine filly.
$2 Mutuel Prices:
| 14 – Z Command | 26.90 | 15.20 | 5.00 |
| 4 – Tenrikyo | 5.10 | 5.10 | |
| 3 – Totally Baroque | 116.90 |
Track: Fast Time: :471 1:104 1:352 1:474
$1 Exacta: 14 – 4 Paid 21.00 $1 Trifecta: 14 – 4 – 3 Paid 1,700.80
Scratched: Book Of Aggravation, Jakes Language, Pumpernickel Basil
Z Command away well securing inside position, rated back to track the pace, responded quickly when asked, held sway late, won driving. Tenrikyo rated back in the early stages, moved forward to track the pace midway, rallied down the lane in a game effort. Totally Baroque unhurried while under a snug hold, swung out at the top of the lane, closed full of run. Viking Vania very wide into the clubhouse turn, rushed up out of that turn to set the pace down the back stretch, caught, could not find more. Charo secured an inside position early, evenly. Cannolo broke alertly, stalked the pace throughout, no excuse. Fair On Friday trailed early, passed tiring rivals. Elegant showed good speed, tired in the final furlong. Ghost In The Shell raced mid-pack throughout. Cardi B was outrun. Misty Firefox was never involved. Ineffable some early speed, retreated. Blue Caviar was outrun. High On Haggis was outrun.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
