8/8/2015 Post Time 7:00PM
RACE 7 DMR    Mabee Stakes (GII)
$250.000    3yo&Up  F&M    1  1/8m   Turf

She’s on a roll and she looks tough to stop!  Tidal Wave broke well, got to the front and just kept on going in Saturday’s Mabee Stakes (GII) on the DMR lawn.  Sent off at 7/2 the bay mare showed that her tactical speed is brutal, racking up her fourth consecutive win in a final time of 1:46.13 for the mile and an eighth.  Long-shot Panther Tree was second at more than 99/1, making a nice $374.00 exacta.

The field of five got away from the gate in good order with Tidal Wave showing her customary quick start, Panther Tree to her inside, Fair Quest giving chase.  Tiffany Warrior was under a hold early and Thirlling Baby was the early trailer.

Out of the chute, under the wire the firs time by and now into the clubhouse turn, six furlongs left to run in this one and Tidal Wave was in front by a length and a half.  Panther Tree trying to go with that one, a gap of three back to Fair Quest, Thirlling Baby on the outside of that one and Tiffany Warrior now at the back of the pack, six lengths covering the field.

They made their way down the backside, and now were nearing the far turn with three furlongs to run and Tidal Wave was playing “come and get me” with this group – in front by two and a half lengths.  Panther Tree still in second, gap of two back to Thirlling Baby, saving ground, two more to Tiffany Warrior, three wide and Fair Quest was now at the rear.

Around the far turn and to the top of the lane, three-sixteenths of a mile to run and Tidal Wave still chuggin’ along in front by two.  Panther Tree seemed to be tiring but now felt the whip and was moving up along the rail.  Thirlling Baby, Tiffany Warrior and Fair Quest in a bunch and needing to find more to get into this one.

Now inside the final sixteenth and down to the wire… this one was getting interesting… very, very interesting.  Tidal Wave doing all of the heavy lifting, setting the pace throughout… but the lead was down to three-quarter’s of a length as 99/1 shot Panther Tree was battling back… and as they made their way under the wire, Tidal Wave made one last push and took the win by a long head.  Panther Tree was a game second, then a gap of two back to Fair Quests in third.  Tiffany Warrior was a head back in fourth and Thirlling Baby closed this one out.

Tidal Wave is a 5yo bay mare by Astral Weeks – Hummus by HRP-Palestinian, and she was bred by her owner, Paradise Stable, in NJ.  This was her eighth win from thirty starts and she now has $1,189.560 in earnings.  That’s three graded wins in a row and four consecutive wins dating back to March.  She looks tough!

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Firm       Time: :47³  1:10³  1:34   1:46
$1 Exacta: 3 – 1 Paid 374.00    $1 Trifecta: 3 – 1 – 4 Paid 1,063.30
Scratched: None

Categories: Grade II