5 GP The Fox (GIII)
$150.000 4yo&Up F&M 1m InTurf 124lbs +penalty
Three on the wire and we had a bit of an upset in Saturday’s The Fox (GIII) at GP, although Scotty did have her as his second pick…. Fomalhaut, trained by John Henry and sent off at 18/1 odds, used her speed to contest the pace throughout and show just how game a race horse she is, battling Cracked The Code and Franke to secure the victory on the inner turf. Cracked The Code was a nose back of the winner with Franke just another nose back in third, making this one heck of a race.
The field of eight were away from the gate in good order with Fomalhaut on the early gas, Franke next to that one, Code Lavender with speed along the rail. Saddle Happy just in behind that trio, Festive next to that one then Lower Merion, Twinny between horses and Cracked The Code was slowest into stride.
The field made their way around the clubhouse turn and were headed towards the run down the backside with Franke up to stick a neck in front. Fomalhaut between horses with Code Lavender on the rail. A gap of two back to Festive on the rail, then another gap back to Saddle Happy between horses, Lower Merion on the rail Cracked The Code on the outside and Twinny was the back marker.
Down the back stretch and nearing the far turn, the field went past the five sixteenths marker and Franke continued to show the way by a head, Fomalhaut wasn’t going away between horses, Code Lavender still saving ground on the rail. Festive now moving up a bit, just in behind that leading trio, Cracked The Code now pushing forward to join that one, then a gap back to Saddle Happy, Lower Merion and Twinny continued to trail.
Around the turn, into the lane and nearing the furlong marker, it was getting interesting in quick order. Fomalhaut by a neck, Franke still pressing the issue, Code Lavender cut the corner on the rail and Cracked The Code sweeping up to make it four across the track. Festive just in behind and in the mix, Saddle Happy being asked for more
down the center of the track, Lower Merion with a clear shot down the inside and Twinny was only five back – they all had a shot in this one.
Deep stretch and to the finish, Fomalhaut on the lead, but now Franke up to stick a nose in front, Cracked The Code down the outside… a battle to the finish… and as they hit the wire, it was too close to call and the PHOTO sign went up on the infield tote board. After viewing the photograph, Fomalhaut had battled back to nail Cracked The Code on the wire with Franke just off of those two in the third spot. Saddle Happy was fourth, Lower Merion fifth, Festive sixth, Twinny seventh and Code Lavender tired to be eighth,
only two lengths covered the field.
Fomalhaut is a 6yo grey mare by Shining Armor – Diazo Gen, by Rockefella, and she was bred in Cal by Barcelona Farms. Acquired via private sale back in Jan of 2017 for $100.000, this mare has done nothing but run hard and earn checks, now showing nine wins from thirty-three starts and she has been on the board in twenty-three of those starts. Now having earnings of $1,016.660, she is showing no signs of letting up…
Congrats for another game win!!
$2 Mutuel Prices:
| 5 – Fomalhaut | 39.70 | 12.90 | 6.30 |
| 8 – Cracked The Code | 4.50 | 3.10 | |
| 6 – Franke | 3.40 |
Track: Firm Time: :233 :47 1:10 1:332
$1 Exacta: 5 – 8 Paid 61.60 $1 Trifecta: 5 – 8 – 6 Paid 820.60
Scratched: None
Fomalhaut broke well to lead, headed while staying close to the pace, short lead into the lane under pressure, headed, fought back to prevail in a photo. Cracked The Code taken in hand early, steady advance into contention through the far turn, short lead in the lane, nailed on the wire in a game effort. Franke close up throughout, three way battle down the lane while out-gamed by the top duo. Saddle Happy mid-pack throughout, good effort while not a threat to the top three. Lower Merion taken back under a hold, best effort too late. Festive just in behind the pace, asked with no real response. Twinny trailed, some late foot. Code Lavender broke well to be on the pace in a ground saving effort, tired late.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
