FG Stakes – Grade III
1 1/8 Mile Turf Stake Purse $150.000 Open 4 Year Olds And Up.

1st Neds Influence The Sidley Stud Velazquez J R 8.25 11/4 1:45.27

Making all last time out in a faster pace today this four-year-old entire proved what a click and play game this can be by running as a mid-pack closer in a slower time today. With a more inside draw than he had in the Let It Ride he was taken back and was actually very near last with five furlongs to run but he found his running line as they turned for home and ran out a fairly impressive quarter length winner against a decent field. Hard to imagine that he was being beaten in a LAD $15 optional claimer three runs ago, but the trainer has always had a bit of belief in this home bred son of Techfluence and he looked just like his Dad today.

2nd Speightstown Nakamura Stables Alvarado F T 4.95 2nk 1:45.35

With the wide draw we knew his best chance would be to use the slingshot and take the lead as he did when winning the Breeders Stakes last year and all went to plan until inside the final furlong. In truth he probably went a bit too fast but that can happen when they are trying to find the rail and he actually lasted pretty well to be beaten just a quarter length.

3rd Broad Brush Czech Out Farms Graham J 33.20 31/4 1:45.40

Stalking the pace seems to be the kiss of death for the stalker on this new engine so this was a good effort by this five-year-old beaten less than a length in the end. He got his revenge on Hey Bud which would have given the trainer some pleasure and there are certainly more wins to come for him.

4th Broadway Bay Angelos Stable Lopez P 38.15 4hd 1:45.49

Came from a long way back to manage fourth and did pretty well considering it wasn’t the type of suicidal pace that can lend itself to deep closers. By far his best effort of turf, I would imagine the trainer will be looking for a follow up on the grass in the near future.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES