The Smith (Grade 2)- $200.000 Purse
AQU- For Three Year Olds and Upward
One Mile and Three Eighths on the Inner Turf
November 20, 2021
Ten horses would go to the starting gate for the Smith, an eleven furlong Grade 2 at AQU, but it would end up being a two horse race at the wire as both Telladifferentstory and Big Aspirations broke away from the rest of the field in the stretch and settled things between themselves. Telladifferentstory would prove to be just a little better in the late moments of the race, and he will get the first career win in the stake for both trainer Nakamura Stables and jockey E Cancel! Congratulations go out them! It would be a race where the top three horses were also the top three betting choices, and were all among the top three picked here. The winning time of 2:11.48 was the second fastest in the stake’s history, as only Individual was quicker in 2012, albeit carrying seven fewer pounds. Let’s take a look!
(½ Mile- :47.94)- From the starting gate, two horses quickly jump out to a lead of at least three lengths. Trumbull Valley did so from the rail for Mb Stables, and towards the outside, longshot Gabilondo had the same gameplan for Fractious. These two were side by side down the backstretch for the first time, and as they moved down the frontstretch, Trumbull Valley did push a half length in front. Behind these two, we had a group of three running alongside one another, and our eventual top two horses were a part of it. Big Aspirations was third for Hippyheart, running in the middle and a half length ahead of those on the sides of him. So Lonely was next on the rail for Diablo Diablo and in the third lane was our ultimate winner, Telladifferentstory, for Nakamura Stables. L Train (The Sidley Stud) was a length or so behind them, and further back our trailers, Banshee Star (Calia Stable), Brilliant Kruz (Nakamura Stables), Magnolia Creek (Rock Creek), and Concerto Of Eggs (TwinTowersRacing) all ran together.
(¾ Mile- 1:11.70)- We do not see a lot of action over the next quarter mile, but at the front, Trumbull Valley continues to look good and begins to put some distance between himself and Gabilondo. It seems as though the longshot is unable to keep up, and is now backing up into Big Aspirations. That one still has So Lonely and Telladifferentstory on each side of him, unhurried to make any further push to the front. Things are much the same behind them, as well.
(Top Of Stretch, 1.8F To Go)- By the time the backstretch portion was complete, Big Aspirations had completed the pass of Gabilondo for second, but did not stop there as he moved to be within a length of Trumbull Valley as well. Keeping pace with him would be Telladifferentstory, still running to his outside, and trailing him by a length. So Lonely, however, did not advance at the same time. At the top of the stretch, Big Aspirations completed the pass for the lead but still had to deal with Telladifferentstory, as both of them handled the turn extremely well. Trumbull Valley wasn’t done yet, and these three were now at least three lengths ahead of the rest of the field, and that included the fading So Lonely and Gabilondo. L Train was the only one of the horses further back that looked like he could still have a shot at this point.
(Finish- 2:11.48)- Big Aspirations and Telladifferentstory would put away Trumbull Valley quickly into the stretch run, and now would have to settle the race between one another. For a while, you had to think that Big Aspirations was looking real good, as with a furlong to go, he still had his length lead, but then Telladifferentstory started nipping away with every stride. Both ran gamely to the wire, but in the end, it would be Telladifferentstory completing the pass just in time to get the win! Big Aspirations has nothing to hang his head over, in second. Trumbull Valley was good enough to remain third, mainly because no one else was ever coming. Are we sure there were even other horses in this race? L Train initially got by So Lonely, then lost fourth in the dying moments. Rounding it out are Banshee Star, Brilliant Kruz, Gabilondo, Concerto Of Eggs, and Magnolia Creek.
About the winner- Telladifferentstory, trained by Nakamura Stables and ridden to victory by E Cancel, is a four year old gelding by Telling Ya, and is out of Different Times. He was bred in California as a yearling by Nakamura Stables, who has owned him throughout! Congratulations to the connections! The win is his seventh in 23 starts, his fourth stake win, and second graded win. His career earnings are now $543.520.
Track: Firm
Time: :474 1:113 1:351 2:112
$2 Mutuel Prices:
$1 Exacta: 9 – 5 Paid 26.30
$1 Trifecta: 9 – 5 – 1 Paid 85.00
Scratched: King Que Niagra
— NS
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
