5/31/2021

  2  SA    The Gold Cup (GI)
$300.000        3yo&Up       1 1/4m    Dirt           124lbs

We have a dead-heat in The Gold Cup (GI)… it seems to be the way around here right now.  Regardless, the teletimer and photo showed that Space Commander, owned by Nakamura Stables, and Tactical, owned by Mb Stables, both ended up with the win in this mile and a quarter classic stakes.  It was two lengths back to Having A Blast in third, who just nosed out Crack Dab in fourth.  The final running time was 2:00³ on the fast SA main track. 

Eleven went post-ward with the late scratch of Walk The Moon, the flag was up, and away they go in the Gold Cup… Mo Town and Tactical away well, Crack Dab, Slo Mo crossing over to the rail, Having A Blast between those, Space Commander towards the inside of Home Spirit, then the early trailers including Bellamango, Intervention, Combat Wombat and Akkadian.

Now moving around the clubhouse turn and six furlongs to run, Mo Town still on the lead but Tactical was looking that one in the eye.  Intervention up on the far outside pressing the pace, to his inside the foursome of Slow Mo, Space Commander on the rail, Crack Dab in the four path and Having A Blast to the inside of that one.  Another gap back to Bellamango skimming the rail, then another gap back to the trailing trio of Home Spirit, Combat Wombat and Akkadian.

The field made their way down the back stretch and moved into the far turn, Tactical had moved up to take command and was in front by two.  Mo Town trying to fight along the rail, then Space Command on his flank.  Fanning out, Having A Blast, Crack Drab, and Intervention widest of all.  Slo Mo was just in behind that group, then a gap to Bellamangto drifting out, then another gap back to Combat Wombat, Home Spirit and Akkadian.

Around the far turn and into the lane, they moved past the furlong marker and Tactical contnued to show the way by two, Space Commander digging in and starting to get in gear, Having A Blast in the five path, Crack Dab on the outside of that one, back down to the rail Mo Town backing out of it, Slow Mo next to that one, then a gap back Home Spirit, Combat Wombat, Bellamango, Intervention and Akkadian.

Deep stretch and to the wire, Tactical leading but Space Commander inching forward with every step… it was down to these two for the win and a gap back to another battle for the minor money with Having A Blast and Crack Dab out wide, Slow Mo down the center and Home Spirit on the rail… and as they hit the wire, Space Commander and Tactical hit the wire as a duo and the PHOTO sign went up on the infield tote-board.  After viewing the instant video replay, the results were declared a dead-heat and that duo could not be separated.  It was two lengths back to another bang-bang finish with Having A Blast nosing out Crack Dab for third.  Slo Mo was fifth, Home Spiirt sixth, Mo Town seventh, Combat Wombat eighth, Addadian ninth, Bellamango tenth and Intervention closed this one out. 

Space Commander is a 5yo black gelded so of Strategic Command – Queen Of Queens, by Chai Latte, and he was bred in ON by John Henry.  Purchased by Natamura Stables via Private Purchase for $110.000, this was his eighth win from twenty seven starts and now shows lifetime earnings of $2,389.200.

Tactical is a 5yo grey entire by Cherokee Sunset – Unnatural, by Natural Drummer, and he was bred by Team 7 Illusions in Cal, and he was claimed by Mb Stables for $75.000 in the second start of his career.  He now has ten wins from twenty three stars and earnings of $3,817.010.

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Fast           Time: :48   1:11³  1:35³  2:00³
$1 Exacta: 4 – 8 Paid 4.10, 8 – 4 Paid 4.30     
$1 Trifecta: 4 – 8 – 9 Paid 46.20, 8 – 4 – 9 Paid 40.10
Scratched: Walk The Moon (L)

Space Commander in hand early saving ground, fanned 3p into the lane, wore down and nailed leader on the wire for the dead-heat. Tactical away quickly, tracked the pace, took over moving onto the backside, kicked clear mid lane, nailed on the wire for the dead-head.  Having A Blast just in behind the early pace, fanned 6p for the drive, evenly. Crack Dab tracked leaders, out-finished with no excuse.  Slo Mo well placed, no excuse.  Home Spirit was not a factor.  Mo Town sharp break, headed moving into the back stretch, tired.  Combat Wombat was outrun. Akkadian was outrun. Bellamango ground saving trip, outrun. Intervention off a step slow, rushed up widest through the first turn, used up.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES