The betting public definitely was not taking any notice of this writers evaluation of Asgar’s So Profound as they made him the post time favorite, and now I have to eat humble pie and boldly congratulate this trainer and his stellar four year old colt with this victory.
- The Toboggan ( Gr. III ) Purse- $150.000
- Aqueduct Race Track- For Four Years old and Up
- Seven Furlongs in Distance- Main track
- January 18th, 2020
Now capturing his second Graded title here at Aqueduct since Ghastly closed out her 2016 season winning the Gr. II Bayakoa Handicap.,trainer Asgar most definitely knows a little bit about patience and waiting for something special. As I managed to catch up with him following this affair and express my apologizes for my comments, the trainer was a true gentleman and while shaking my hand he stated “ I don’t blame you at all for dismissing my chances; one look at the jockey and my graded stakes record would be enough to put anyone off.” He would continue to add “The horse however is pretty good – he must be to win that race in that manner with that jockey and this trainer!” He definitely showed this writer a trainer with a love for the game, racing, and the horses he sends out to represent his stables.
As the field broke from the backstretch chute, So Profound was pulled back from the traffic into the back of the field, then jockey Luzzi got his focus on how to work through the field. By the time the field had reached the far turn, So Profound had taken to the outside and had moved ahead of four runners to her inside. Mr Cat Summers ( First Street Stables ) was away by a length and a half at this point, but mutual outside runner Along For The Ride ( John Henry ) was starting to make up ground on the leader. Kiss The Snake ( Nakamura Stables ), Saturday Khartoum ( Rousee ) and Grand Speed ( TwinTowersRacing ) were forming a wall behind these two runners.
The field would hit the top of the lane with two furlongs to run and Mr Cat Summers was looking like he off to races at this point, moving almost two lengths ahead of Along For The Ride. Kiss The Snake had moved to the outside flank of the John Henry entry, with Saturday Khartoum looking to the inside. So Profound was five wide from the rail looking to the middle of the track to put in his late run.
As they hit the eighth pole, Mr Cat Summers was at the rail and still not being challenged at this point. A length back was now Kiss The Snake putting in his late kick, with Along For The Ride and a charging So Profound running head to head for third. So Profound would continue his push to the line and would not gain that position until the 1:18.50 time mark of the race. He would reach the wire three seconds later with a final time of 1:21.67, and he would earn a 100 SRF number, his first ever triple figure posting. Kiss The Snake would grab the runner-up placing, just a head in front of pacesetter Mr Cat Summers. A late charging Dodger Blue ( RNP Stables ) managed to snatch away the minor share.
| ## | Horse Name | Owner Name | Jockey | Odds | Fin | Time | SRF | ||
| 9 | So Profound | Asgar | Luzzi M J | 3.40 | 13/4 | 1:21.67 | 100 | ||
| 6 | Kiss The Snake | Nakamura Stables | Vargas J A Jr | 3.55 | 2nk | 1:21.84 | 99 | ||
| 12 | Mr Cat Summers | First Street Stables | Alvarado J | 14.75 | 33/4 | 1:21.90 | 99 | ||
| 10 | Dodger Blue | RNP Stables | Carmouche K | 28.20 | 41/2 | 1:22.07 | 98 | ||
| 5 | Commanding Know | Delta Farms | Gutierrez R | 6.30 | 5hd | 1:22.21 | 97 | ||
| 3 | Out On A Limb | Estero Farms | Davis D | 10.30 | 6no | 1:22.24 | 97 | ||
| 4 | Saturday Khartoum | Rousee | Correa J | 12.05 | 7hd | 1:22.26 | 96 | ||
| 11 | Along For The Ride | John Henry | Cancel E | 5.70 | 83 | 1:22.29 | 96 | ||
| 7 | Caviar | Night Rider Stables | Rodriguez L A | 8.25 | 9no | 1:23.03 | 91 | ||
| 8 | Grand Speed | TwinTowersRacing | Diaz H R Jr | 11.80 | 10 | 1:23.05 | 91 |
Track: Fast
Time: :223 :452 1:091 1:213
$2 Mutuel Prices:
| 9 – So Profound | 8.80 | 4.50 | 3.40 |
| 6 – Kiss The Snake | 4.20 | 3.30 | |
| 12 – Mr Cat Summers | 7.50 |
$1 Exacta: 9 – 6 Paid 15.20
$1 Trifecta: 9 – 6 – 12 Paid 1,327.00
Scratched: Born A Diplomat, Fahrenheit
Final Note- While as a sophomore he would only post one victory coming in the Gr. I AR Derby earning him a entry into the Triple Crown races, First Street Stables can definitely feel positive about his entry Mr Cat Summers effort in this event after a disappointing Breeders Classic race. If this event was only a six and a half furlong in distance, I would be writing a different ending, and I think this now four year old has found a level at which he can compete competitively. I was very impressed on his effort never backing away and continuing the strength till the very end. He would only be beaten by two better late kick runners here. Definitely watch for this one in future shorter races if held at this level . Excellent effort throughout.
Duffer
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
