The Apple Blossom Handicap – Grade I (P4)
1 1/16 Mile Dirt Stake Purse $1,000.00 Filly & Mare 4 Year Olds And Up.
1st Wolfslayer Maxmillion Farm Cedillo A
As i said in the write up the situation in handicaps at HRP seems almost as unreal as the outside draw and jockey situation. Bottom weight is such a huge advantage even when it is just a few pounds and here we saw two horses from very difficult draws overcome plenty of negatives to win and finish second with bottom weight.
I gave this one a big push in the write up, a grade one winner sneaking in with bottom weight should never be overlooked even one that had never won a route race and that was beaten in a grade three handicap last time with a bigger weight. Today she got a lovely trip and won by a very easy two lengths, a distance she has never won as far by in all her races including her maiden back in 2017.
Congratulations to the turf king who may just be trying for the dirt crown too.
2nd Pure Addiction TwinTowersRacing Centeno D E
Despite the fact that this one has never run in a stakes race and had just scraped home in an $8 claimer just 8 months ago AND was drawn impossibly wide i gave her a good chance based on her handicap weight alone. She did not let me down going to the front from the wide draw and leading for a long way before the winner sauntered past her. The handicap mark allowed her enough energy to hold onto second though in a great race for her popular owner.
3rd Out And Bad Night Rider Stables Bridgmohan S X
As expected her wet track run last time was purely down to the fact that any wet track form seems to be grossly exaggerated and she ran far more like her normal self today keeping on from the back to run a strong third.
4th On The Flop Team 7 Illusions Lezcano J
She came from a long way back to take fourth in a very nice effort. The way she is running is suggesting she will need at least 10 furlongs to really shine and i would be keeping an eye on her of she is given a real test of stamina next time.
Footnote
The four favorites for this race filled the last four places home.
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
