GG 5     Berkeley Hcp (GIII)

“what’s in the tank” “looking for softer”  …yeah, right.  How wrong could I have been?  Maniaco del Controll looked hopelessly beaten in the early stages of the Berkeley Hcp (GIII) at GG on Saturday, but they don’t hand out checks at the quarter pole.  Closing quickly down the land, he got the job done by a quarter length.  Tongariro was second with Sniper another length back in third.

As they left the gate, Relentless was on the early throttle, Tonagriro next to that one, then Snip and Greek Consul.  Another length to Mainico del Controll along the rail and Blurred Return was the early back marker.

Moving around the clubhouse turn and onto the back stretch, they had six furlongs to run and Relentless was in front by a length.  Tongariro still tracking that one, back to the rail for Sniper, gap of a length and a half to Greek Consul, another length and a half to Maniaco del Controll and Blurred Return was still the trailer.

Continue down the back stretch and now nearing the far turn with three and a half furlongs to run, Relentless continued to show the way by nearly a length.  Toonariro inching up, Sniper sitting behind that pair on the rail, two lengths back to Greek Consul, Maniaco del Controll behind that one and Blurred Return could see them all, ten lengths from the leader.

Around the far turn and to the top of the lane, they made their way near the furlong marker and this one was changing quickly.  Tongariro four wide and now in front by a length.  Relentless digging in, Sniper to his inside, Maniaco del Controll now moving forward down the center of the track, Greek Consul asked for more from the rail and Blurred Return was not responding.

Through the final 150-yards and to the finish line, Tongariro in front, but Maniaco del Controll was absolutely fling late and as they hit the wire it was Maniaco del Control taking the victory by a quarter length.  Tonariro continued on well to be second, then a length back to Sniper in third.  Relentless was fourth, Greek Consul fifth and Blurred Return closed this one out.

Maniaco del Control is a  4yo gelding by Controlled Mayhem – Princess Laam, by Prince Charley, and he was bred in KY by Jerry Garcia Racing.  This was his fifth win from twenty-four lifetime starts and his first win of the ’19 season.  Now showing earnings of $197.980, it’s certainly good to see this one bounce back after a couple of poor outings.  Congratulations to Threshold and Maniaco del Control.

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Muddy     Time: :24²  :49   1:13²  1:45²
$1 Exacta: 1 – 3 Paid 14.10           $1 Trifecta: 1 – 3 – 4 Paid 45.10
Scratched: None

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES