Golden Rod (Grade 2) (KYO)- $400.000 Purse
CD- For Fillies Two Years Old
One Mile and One Sixteenth on the Dirt
November 26, 2022

The 20th running of the Golden Rod took place Saturday at CD, giving two year old fillies a chance to earn some valuable KYO points in addition to the winner’s share of the $400.000 purse. A race like this can always seem up for grabs between at least half of the field, and that was certainly the case here. Ending up in the winner’s circle would be a filly that has not done much winning thus far in her career. In fact, she had only done it one time in her eight previous starts. Therefore, we can probably be forgiven for not having Tokyo Story as one of our picks. On this day, her story would be one of victory, and perhaps the start of a new chapter in her career that sees her win a lot more often, as opposed to simply being in the mix in quality races. Tokyo Story is trained by Smokey Stover and was ridden by A Cedillo. For each, it is their first win in the Golden Rod. Congratulations to them! The time of the victory was 1:42.18, a middle of the road winning time for the race in its history. Let’s take a look at it!

(1/4 Mile- :23.45)- Almost Sinning jumps out to the early advantage for Arindel, and she opens up while in the first turn by about two full lengths. Stalking her in the second position is Muddy Buddy, trained by Mb Stables, and a length behind her is our eventual winner of the race, Smokey Stover’s Tokyo Story. So, we actually didn’t see the traditional rows of three or four behind a a pacesetter here. However, once behind Tokyo Story in the field, we did see those rows. Comprising the first such row, from inside to outside, is Berry Chai (Allinthegate), Let It Shine (Rampage Stable), and Cheyenne Warrior (Rock Creek). The back row is La Roo (Our Athletes), Concordia Queen (Nakamura Stables), and Beautifully Grusome (TwinTowersRacing).

(1/2 Mile- :47.07)- Almost Sinning enters the backstretch with a two length lead, and this continues midway through this portion of the race. Muddy Buddy is still second by herself, while running along the rail. Tokyo Story inches a little closer to that one while along her outside, but still trails the leader by about three lengths. Behind them, the two lined up rows of three are still present with little change.

(Top of Stretch, 1.8F To Go)- Up front, Almost Sinning smoothly handles the turn but is beginning to have some more company. Towards the exit of the turn, Muddy Buddy is looking good and runs tight to the rail to try and squeeze through to the inside of the pace setter. Tokyo Story is now just a half length behind that one and will look to make her move around Almost Sinning in the third lane. After about two lengths or so, the rest of the horses are starting to clustered together, with Beautifully Grusome looking very interesting at this point, but it would take a four wide move for her.

(Finish- 1:42.18)- In the stretch, both Muddy Buddy and Tokyo Story pulled up alongside Almost Sinning at about the same time, but once they were there, it was clear that Tokyo Story had a little more speed. In the final furlong, she would begin to inch away to close in on the win. She would get there, rather comfortably, by a length and a half. A late running Beautifully Grusome nips Muddy Buddy in the second place photo, with Concord Queen grabbing fourth. Almost Sinning dropped to fifth, ahead of Let In Shine, Cheyenne Warrior, La Roo, and Berry Chai.

About The Winner- Tokyo Story, trained by Smoky Stover and ridden to victory by A Cedillo, is a two year old filly by Acapulco Bay and is out of Naughtygirlsneedlove. She was bred in California by her trainer as a yearling, and they have been together throughout. Congratulations to the connections! The win is her second in nine starts, and her first graded win. Her career earnings are now $445.400.

Track: Fast
Time: :23²  :47   1:10⁴  1:42

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 4 – 8 Paid 203.50
$1 Trifecta: 4 – 8 – 3 Paid 717.40

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES