The 16th Running of the G1 Summer Stakes

September 19, 2021 14:30

WO Race #5 $400.000 1-Mile Turf

2YOs 120 Lbs 

Track Record-1:31.72 (Cleveland Browns-2012)

Stakes Record-1:32.97 (Generals Opus-2016)

In the end, the other ten horses had to kiss the ring.  The Godfather made a sweeping move in the only turn of the 1-mile $400.000 G1 Summer Stakes to get to the front and held sway throughout the WO stretch.  He would be chased home by The Tonight Show, but that rival could only get to his flank as they crossed the wire in 1:33.32.

Justinian, running in the colors of Nakamura Stables, established the early lead as he went an opening quarter in :22.92.  Next Edition and Oxo Way were three lengths behind him with The Godfather another length off of them, racing in the four path, and leading a pack of four horses.

Reaching the half-mile in :46.12, Justinian was on a two-length lead that was steadily reducing as Next Edition made progress on the leader.  The Mb Stables runner was at the head of a group that included Oxo Way, Cross Eyed Baby, and The Godfather who were all within three lengths of the leader.  The Godfather was pushed five-wide in the turn and decided then to put in his run as he made a sweeping move to get to the front as the horses reached the head of the lane.

Racing at least seven-wide, The Godfather was on a length lead as he passed the three-quarter mark in 1:09.49.  Next Edition was next as Justinian began retreating on the rail.  Oxo Way was in 4th, but he was under pressure from The Tonight Show as that runner launched his bid.  The Tonight Show made a run, but, in the end, it was the Smokey Stover-trained The Godfather that reached the wire first in a time of 1:33.32 to win the G1 Summer Stakes.  Next Edition battled through the wire to save the show and was followed across the line by Peace Arch, Yang Gang, Schmidt, Oxo Way, Justinian, Cross Eyed Baby, The Great Unmasking, and Fire Marshall Bill.

The Godfather (Con Artist o/o Immookalee) earned an automatic birth into the G1 BC Juvenile Turf withh the win and improved his record to 4-2-1-0 with earnings of $303.200.  The Tonight Show, trained by Rock Creek, likely secured his place in the November race with his second-place finish which earned him six BC points.  Next Edition was awarded four BC points for his third-place effort and he likely secured his spot in the gate for the BC race at DMR.

Congratulations to Smokey Stover and The Godfather for their victory in the $400.000 G1 Summer Stakes at WO and good luck to all of the runners moving forward.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES