BC Turf – Grade I
1 1/2 Mile Turf Stake Purse $4,000.000 Open 3 Year Olds And Up.
1st Sunlander Nakamura Stables Ryan S
After a sticky start to the year i think we can safely say a big welcome back to the Nak factor after the trainer capped off a great BC with a one two in the BC Turf. I really liked this ones chances but was a little disappointed when he went through the first half mile in eighth place, especially considering the historical data from this race says most winners come from nearer the pace and that this one had made all to win the Henry Championship last time with faster splits. But the one thing we have learned about HRP over the years is that there really isn’t a running style that these horses possess and regardless of where they are in the run they just need gaps at the right time and to be cresting their career curves for the big races.
Bought for just $94.000 from Estero Farms he hadn’t really shown his best form since the Pacific Classic last year but we must not forget that he ran sixth from a terrible draw in this race last year so was always going to run better from the ace today.
A five year old now and clearly right back to his best and maybe a little better i am sure he will be back to defend his crown next year.
2nd Iron Nation Nakamura Stables Carrasco V R
Last years BC mile winner was just a length from making a famous double and ran his heart out here from a difficult draw. Forcing himself to the front for only the second time in his career he once again demonstrated that these horses don’t have a best ‘running style’ but instead can be made to do whatever you want. Having said that i am pretty sure there are at least ten horses in every race that don’t do what their trainers wanted so maybe that’s a sweeping statement.
This horse puts himself among the turf greats with this effort and at still only four years of age there could well be more to come
3rd Devil Made Me Doit Maxmillion Farm Davis D
The turf king may not be over joyed with all the efforts of his runners here but this one dd him proud especially when you consider he was a maiden at the start of the year. The first three year old home he ran a cracker and there will be plenty of time for him to go one better in the year to come.
Running from midpack he stayed on really well justifying every cent of the $200 he was bought for from the breeder.
4th Lets Do It Big Boy RNP Stables Pennington F
I make no secret that i love the old guard at HRP so i am thrilled that this one got a paycheck. He got a bit behind early on but ran on really well to grab a well deserved fourth. He has run in this race three times now over a stellar career and has managed third fourth and fifth so he really has been a great horse.
Last years winner Billy Joel ran fifth
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
