3/5/2022

  13  SA    The SA Handicap (GI)

        $650.000    3yo     1 1/4m  Dirt      Hcp Weights

Saturday’s SA Handicap (GI) could have been a 2f dash vs the mile and a quarter classic that it is… same finish.  Mb Stables Tempestuous made a laugher out of the Big Cap as he opened up a lead right from the gate, extended it to nearly ten lengths and then went on cruise control from the top of the lane to the finish in what was listed as a two length victory, but certainly appeared like more than that to me.  The final running time was 2:00³ for the classic mile and a quarter distance, and the SA main track was   listed Fast under sunny skies.  It was a sunny day for Maxmillion Farm as well as the conditioner nailed down both the second and third spots, 21/1 shot Cossack taking the place and 9/1 When Your Strange in third, then a length to Sports Page, taking the minor money.    

There’s not much of a play-by-play to deliver for this one as Tempestuous opened a lead just a few jumps from the gate, continued to open a gap on the field throughout, turned for home with a day-light advantage, and was just kept to the task to take the win in easy fashion.  The remainder of the field broke into two groups, with the second flight producing the other on-the-board horses while the trailers just never were able to make up ground.  It was a one sided affair, to say the least. 

Tempestuous is a 4yo black gelded son of Fire N Fury – Tornado Warning, by On High Alert, and he was bred in Fla by his owner, Mb Stables.  This was his eighth win from seventeen starts, his second graded stakes win of the ’22 season, and he now has lifetime earnings of $766.660.  Congrats to the connections on this decisive win.    

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Fast          Time: :45²  1:09   1:33⁴  2:00³
$1 Exacta: 11 – 10 Paid 116.80            $1 Trifecta: 11 – 10 – 5 Paid 1,541.80
Scratched: None

Tempestuous broke alertly, set the pace at all calls, never challenged winning as much the best.  Cossack wide trip travelling 3p to the far turn, 5p around the turn, fanning wider for the drive, second best.  When Your Strange 2p in second flight, stayed on well while no threat.  Sports Page taken back after the break, under wraps to the far turn, responded inside to gain minor share.  Expert Eye moved 3p in the second flight, asked no real response, evenly.  Having A Blast secured a rail position, even effort while not involved.  Toothpaste lagged early, passed tiring rivals. Big Bang Raj trailed, passed tiring rivals.  Real One raced mid-pack to the far turn, tired.  Toxic Personality  inside trip, tired late.  Safer Dab was outrun. 

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES