After struggling to find the mark since approaching the Graded company events in June, double D ( Diablo Diablo ) finally was able to get Tightrope Walker to the winners enclosure and capture her first ever Graded title here at Aqueduct on Saturday. Her final time of 1:45.72 is now the fastest time for this event at a mile and an eighth.

• The Sands Point ( Gr. II ) Purse- $200.000
• Aqueduct Racetrack- For Fillies Three Years old
• One Mile and One Eighth- Inner Turf course

The victory now moves Diablo Diablo’s Grade III total to 35 victories, and this would be his third in the past thirty days with wins in the JC Gold Cup ( GI) and The Miss Grillo ( Gr. II). All three being homebreds from his barns. While the trainer has not been as busy as he was in years 2007-11, he has been more focused on quality rather then quantity.

Tightrope Walker definitely seems to prefer this nine panel distance as she was able to close to finish in second in the Gr. III Regret by a length. The turf has also been like her comfort food, as the footing definitely fit the bill. Her on top running style switched also helped her stay out of traffic and control the pace as she did throughout this event. Rider Davis went two of three on the day as well.

Taking up her usual three to four length distance off the pace till the run for home, Lower Merion ( Chili King Stables) would mount her usual charge, but the eventual winner was having none of it staying strong to the wire. This chestnut has been slowly progressing to a victory, going from two show placings to three runner-up efforts in her past five starts. This was her first try at an inner turf course. She will capture a victory once again, I guarantee it.

The show share went to Mb Stables Keep The Treasure who found herself as the three to two favorite come post time, but was unable to keep pace in her stalking position in the latter stage of the race. May need to find a non graded event to get the winning juices flowing once again.

Rounding out the event would be She Great ( Team 7 Illusions )who stayed four shy through the race. Z Doggy One ( Wolfs Den ) who like the winner comes from the Z Cars bloodline, and she may have found the addition of Lasix not to her liking here. Finally, Ye Senorita ( Estero Farms ) would be the final runner of the six pack, this being her first ever stakes event and definitely a learning curve affair.

Duffer

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES