Techfluence On A Roll, Wins Northern Dancer

Northern Dancer BC Turf (Grade 1)- $300.000 Purse
WO- For Three Year Olds and Upward
One Mile and One Half on the Turf
September 16, 2017

Techfluence came into the Northern Dancer BC Turf coming off an impressive win here a month prior in the Grade 2 Sky Classic. In the race, he earned a stunning 105 SRF in the win, making us wonder what he could possibly do for an encore here in the 12th running of the race. Well, he would do it again, turning in one of the quickest times this race has seen in several years. In about six weeks, we will be heading to the BC, and it just may be that The Sidley Stud, a smaller though exceptional stable may have the favorite in two of the race when you add Ginger Haggis into the equation. For now though, the trainer will enjoy this victory, which is the first time that they have won the stake. Aboard the winner was D Moran, also a first time winner. Congratulations! The race was won in a time of 2:24.34. Let’s take a look at it!

(½ Mile- :47.90)- Exactly As Planned thunders out of the starting gate for Maxmillion Farm, leading the way around the opening turn comfortably. Tucked in behind him in second was Steel Kelp, from John Henry, who is stalking at this point, but not applying all that much pressure to the leader. Our winner, Techfluence runs third for The Sidley Stud. He’s got a nice running spot on the rail around the opening turn, and is only a length and a half from the lead. The other Maxmillion Farm entry, Max Million, is with this lead group as well. Then, we drop a couple lengths into the middle field where we find Valiant Charge (Threshold) and War Scent (Our Athletes). Everyone else is in closing mode, as a group of them trails between eight and nine lengths back. The order of them here is T S Crystal (Triple K), Locked Down (Serenity Stables), Crafty Shenanigans (Mb Stables) and Scotus Ghotus (Drabfantasy).

(3/4 Mile- 1:11.99)- Techfluence is not going to waste any time asserting himself here. As the backstretch run progresses, he inches closer to the lead, and takes control of the race about midway throughout it, getting the advantage here at six furlongs. As they prepare to enter the final turn, he’s extended that lead to nearly a length and a half on second place Exactly As Planned and over two lengths on Steel Kelp. We didn’t see much movement from the rest of the field at this juncture of the race, so it may be correct to say that they let Techfluence get away from them here. Steel Kelp is a little off and drops to fourth, behind eventual runner up Max Million. Valiant Charge and War Scent are in the middle of the field keeping the distance reasonable, while the rest of the field dug themselves a hole.

(Top of Stretch- 2F to go)- If it wasn’t for Max Million, then Techfluence has completely run away with it at this point. Techfluence is cruising along, and handles the turn with ease, with a beautifully virtual graceful stride. At the top of the stretch, its all about him, and Max Million who does finish second, running a length back. Then it’s Valiant Charge moving up to third over the turn, just by running consistently at this point. He still has four lengths to make up. Both Steel Kelp and Exactly As Planned have called it a day, while everyone else forgot they were racing today and were caught lollygagging in the back.

(Finish- 2:24.34)- Techfluence shows up today and gets the job done, and quite frankly he made this look pretty darn easy. Thankfully, Max Million was keeping him honest in the stretch and making him run it out. Max Million got within a length and runs a pretty strong race for himself, but Techfluence was much the best today. Valiant Charge is a valiant third. Were there seven other horses in this race? Never noticed ‘em. T S Crystal gets a 4th place best of the rest participation check.

About The Winner: Techfluence, trained by The Sidley Stud, and ridden by D Moran, is a four year colt by Techno and out of Bad Influence. He was bred in Texas a first quarter two year old by The Sidley Stud, the only trainer for which he has ever known! Congratulations to the connections! The win is his seventh in 23 career starts, his fifth graded win, and third consecutive such win! His career earnings now sit at $838.890.

##   Horse Name Owner Name Jockey Odds   Fin Time SRF 
4
  Techfluence The Sidley Stud Moran D 8.65   11 2:24.34  
8
  Max Million Maxmillion Farm Maldonado E 6.60   21 2:24.60  
10
  Valiant Charge Threshold Ortiz J L 6.55   32 2:24.99  
1
  T S Crystal Triple K Husbands P 8.00   41/4 2:25.57  
7
  Scotus Ghostus Drabfantasy Ortiz I Jr 17.50   5no 2:25.66  
3
  Crafty Shenanigans Mb Stables Albarado R J 4.90   63/4 2:25.68  
6
  War Scent Our Athletes Leparoux J R 8.50   71 2:25.87  
2
  Locked Down Serenity Stables Bejarano R 7.65   82 2:26.10  
5
  Steel Kelp John Henry Velazquez J R 9.85   91 2:26.56  
9
  Exactly As Planned Maxmillion Farm Pennington F 5.05   10 2:26.85  


Track: Firm

Time: :474  1:114  1:593  2:241

$2 Mutuel Prices:

4 – Techfluence 19.30 10.00 6.50
8 – Max Million   7.50 4.70
10 – Valiant Charge     5.00


$1 Exacta: 4 – 8 Paid 175.10

$1 Trifecta: 4 – 8 – 10 Paid 1,441.60

Scratched: Chrystal Pip

Winner picked by NS



Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES