The Fleet Sprint Handicap (Grade 3)- $400.000 Purse
OP- For Four Year Olds and Upward
Six Furlongs on the Dirt
April 14, 2018

Before I begin, I want to take this moment to express my condolences on the passing of Will Kalina, known on HRP as Sanny Village. Not only was he a great trainer, he was a great person. About two and a half years ago, he was there for me in a time of need, even though we hadn’t really communicated much up to that point. He didn’t have to do what he did for me, but it was greatly appreciated and something I will always remember. The amount of stories and memories that we have, as trainers in a virtual world, are truly an amazing testament of the character that Sanny had shown. He was taken from us way too young. Thank you, Sanny. RIP, and I will be rooting for your horse at the real tracks. Perhaps I’ll catch her at Saratoga.

With a heavy heart, there are still races to cover, they just seem a lot less important right now. The Fleet Sprint Handicap was one of the better races on the undercard at OP. Congratulations to the winner, Sonar; the winning trainer Mb Stables; and the winning jockey, R J Albarado. It’s the first win in the stake for both the trainer and the jockey, and it was won in a time of 1:08.60.

(1/4 Mile- :22.47)- From the outside, Moriches Bay jumps out to the lead for TwinTowersRacing, outdashing Happy Medium (Night Rider Stables) and Prince of Wales (Chili King Stables), who were within a length, and running side by side. In the middle of the pack, two lengths back, we had the two Mb Stables’ horses, Sonar on the rail and La Lune Rain on the outside of three wide. In the middle of the eventual top two finishers was Awkward Tremor, from Asgar. State Police was four lengths off the lead for Team 7 Illusions, ahead of only Canadian Racing’s Candyman.

(½ Mile- :45.12)- As they made their way around the turn, Moriches Bay remained in front, but Happy Medium was poised to take the lead. La Lune Rain moved to a four wide position around the turn, while Sonar waited for something to open. Fortunately for him, Happy Medium politely moved down a lane to accommodate him, and Sonar would take advantage of it. Prince Of Wales remained on the rail, trying to hold on but seemed vulnerable. State Police turned on his siren exiting the turn and prepared for a big stretch run, but Candyman was lacking response.

(Finish- 1:08.60)- In the stretch, Sonar came on through the lane that opened with authority, and it seemed like he would have a good battle for the win with his stablemate. In the dying moments, La Lune Rain could not keep up the pace, and Sonar wins by a length. La Lune Rain is fortunate the wire came up just in time to hold off a dead heat for third between Happy Medium and the charging longshot, State Police. Moriches Bay held on for fifth, ahead of Awkward Tremor, who had a steady though unspectacular run throughout. Prince Of Wales faded to the back, but stayed ahead of Candyman.

About The Winner- Sonar, trained by Mb Stables, and ridden by R J Albarado, is a four year old gelding by Red Echo, and out of Wiggly Wings. He was bred in Ontario by Mb Stables, and they have been together throughout. Congratulations to the connections! The win is his ninth in 16 starts, his third consecutive, and second graded win. His career earnings are now $673.360.

Track: Fast
Time: :22²  :45   :56⁴  1:08³

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 1 – 4 Paid 22.00
$1 Trifecta: 1 – 4 – 6 Paid 34.40, 1 – 4 – 8 Paid 736.30

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES