Summer Stakes – Grade I [BC]
1 Mile Turf Stake Purse $500.000 Open 2 Year Olds.

1st Black Eyed Riggins Racing Hernandez R M

The trials and tribulations of the closer here at HRP were never more apparent than in this victory. Last time out in the With Anticipation he got back and couldn’t find a run ending up last despite just a seven-runner field, today in contrast he had a few less runners to run past but the same amount of ground to make up and he did so readily for a three-quarter length win. His works suggested this performance, but you always have a worry with these horses that get back but today everything went right, and he won like a horse that has a serious chance in the BC.

2nd Mystic Talent Red Fox Farms Centeno D E

He went into a clear lead with a quarter to run and looked home and hosed but that swift early pace told in the end, and he was paddling as the winner swept by. This was a great run for the new trainer who will get this one into the BC barring any mathematical miracles and he certainly has the ability and early pace to give them a big run.

3rd Alydar D J C Racing Stables Velazquez J R

I mentioned earlier how the winner as a closer did not get all the way back today and that gave him the chance of finding the post, well this one did go all the way back and when that happens the AI struggles to get the timing right. He flew home to be beaten less than a length in a remarkable stretch run which will give the trainer some hope that he can turn things around in the BC.

4th Triangulation Acber Farms Franco M

Ran on pace in the Skidmore and was a front runner before that but today either the gaming buttons were used to take him back or the race engine just decided it and he flew home for fourth. Like all the closers it is difficult to tell whether the AI got the timing wrong, or he was just fourth best but the way he finished will have given the trainer some hope for the future.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES