Sky Classic Stakes (Grade 2)- $175.000 Purse
WO- For Three Year Olds and Upward
One Mile and Three Eighths on the Turf
August 19, 2018

The storyline for the Sky Classic Stakes was the showdown between the last two winners of the race: Cju, and Techfluence. It would be won by Techfluence, allowing him to become the second two-time winner of this race. This is a feat that was also accomplished by the late Sky Rocket, back in 2007 and 2008. It is a pretty important win as well for this horse, who had run fourth in the BC Turf last year, but only had picked one win so far this season. He’d been running fine, but when you have the ability that Techfluence has, running fine is not always enough. This win is just what he needed, and perhaps he will look for another repeat here in the Northern Dancer next month. The trainer/jockey combination was the same each year, as The Sidley Stud picks up the win with P Husbands in the saddle. It is the second career win in the stake for both of them. Congratulations! The time of the win was 2:11.35. Many of the past races were one less furlong, but the 2018 Techfluence would have lost to the 2017 Techfluence. Let’s take a look!

(½ Mile- :48.42)- A steady start out of the gate for everyone with no one appearing to be shot out of the gate in an aggressive manner. Moving their way around the opening turn and into the backstretch, Calm Havoc, for Mb Stables, would win out in an early battle against Diamond In The Sea, out of D J C Racing Stables, and would lead him by a length at this stage of the race. The eventual winner, Techfluence, ran third, comfortable along the rail, and was another half length back for The Sidley Stud. On the outside, Dan D Man (Nakamura Stables) and side by side with the 2016 winner, Cju (Maxmillion Farm), another length back. We then had a gap of about two lengths for a three wide battle between Running Your Mouth (Mb Stables), Snake Cayes (Joshua Stables), and Criminal Enterprise (Hambletonian Stable). Trailing was Themistocles, also out of Hambletonian Stable. He had seven and a half lengths to make up.

(3/4 Mile- 1:12.01)- Calm Havoc continues to lead the way down the backstretch, and since Diamond Of The Sea begins to drop back, his lead on second is now a length and a half. That position now belongs to Techfluence, who continues to have a good stalking trip. Diamond In The Sea had slipped to third, now two lengths back, and was about to be passed by Cju as they entered the turn. Dan D Man was with them, but waiting for his time to strike, and that appeared to be something to watch during the turn. The rest of the field really did not do much in the backstretch and no moves from any of them appeared imminent.

(Top Of The Stretch- 2F To Go)- Calm Havoc led going into the turn, but P Husbands was ready to get Techfluence rolling about a quarter of the way through this long turn. Gradually, he would compete the pass of Calm Havoc, who did not necessarily just roll over and let him make the pass easily. Dan D Man was responsive to that move with a move of his own, and behind just one lane over from Techfluence, he was clear to make a good run of his own. At the top of the stretch, he was second, but a length back. Calm Havoc was right there with him, and not going down without a fight. Cju was running steady, and that allowed him to be fourth here, but not close enough to top three unless he find some more push. Diamond In The Sea had dropped back, and none of Snake Cayes, Running Your Mouth, Criminal Enterprise, nor Themistocles were showing anything.

(Finish- 2:11.35)- In the stretch, Techfluence ran like a horse that won this race before, and was never really threatened as long as he maintained his stride. He showed no signs of fatigue, and wins the race by a length. Dan D Man was very good, but could not catch up to Techfluence. It’s good enough for second, with a two length gap to the tiring late Calm Havoc. Cju would be fourth, but never battled for the win. The rest of the field were also-rans throughout, pretty much. The final order is Snake Cayes, Themistocles, Running Your Mouth, Diamond In The Sea, and Criminal Enterprise.

About The Winner: Techfluence, trained by The Sidley Stud and ridden to victory by P Husbands, is a five year old horse by Techno, and is out of Bad Influence. He was bred in Texas as a first quarter two year old by The Sidley Stud, the only trainer he has ever known. Congratulations to the connections! The win is his tenth in 32 career starts, and his eighth graded stake victory. His career earnings are now $1,506.890.

Track: Firm
Time: :48²  1:12   1:35³  2:11¹

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 4 – 1 Paid 22.20
$1 Trifecta: 4 – 1 – 7 Paid 65.40

Scratched: None

Winner Picked by NS

— NS

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES