9/26/2020

  11  SA    Rodeo Drive Stakes (GI) [BC]

$300.000      3yoF&Up        1 1/4m  Turf          3yo 12lbs  Older 124lbs

I thought this would be a chalky race and Too Scared To Party came through for Smokey Stover with a narrow victory in the Rodeo Drive Stakes (GI), knocking down her fourth win of the season and stamping her ticket to KEE for the big upcoming races.  Envy had the lead in the lane but couldn’t hold off the winner, settling for second, a length in front of Maggie Greene in third.  The final time was 1:58.61 for the mile and a quarter turf event.

The loaded into the gate on the bottom of the down-hill course and were away in good order with Envy on the early gas, Goblin Judge from the far outside, back towards the inside for High Ended and Number Nine, Graceful American and Unmistakable were next, side by side, back towards the inside for Ete Creek.  Too Scared To Party was next from the outside, back to the rail for Maggie Greene, Pirates Puff, and Lady Cowgirl was away slowest of all.

Crossing over the main track, by the stands for the first time and now mid-way on the clubhouse turn with six furlongs to turn, Graceful American showing the way by a neck, Goblin Judge on her flank, Unmistakable four wide and Number Nine up the rail, all applying the pressure, another length back to Envy, High Ended on her inside and down to the rail for Ete Creek.  Gap of two back to Maggie Greene hugging the hedge, Too Scared Too Party three wide and Pirates Puff between that pair, then three more back to Lady Cowgirl, eight lengths covering this group.

Now midway down the backside with a half mile to run and Unmistakable moved up three wide to lead by a length and a quarter.  Graceful American between Number Nine and Goblin Judge giving chase, another length back to the trio of Ete Creek on the inside, Envy four wide and High Ended between those, gap of two back to Maggie Greene still saving ground, Too Scared To Party out wide and another length to Pirates Puff while Lady Cowgirl continued to bring up the rear.

Around the far turn and into the lane, the field made their way past the three-sixteenths pole and Envy moved up quickly to take the lead by a length and a half.  A large group behind her with some moving up and others in retreat… Ete Creek mid-track, Number Nine up the rail, Too Scared To Party flying widest of all, Unmistakable and Graceful American moving together, High Ended just behind that group, Maggie Greene moving forward and looking for a clear path, Goblin Judge on her outside, then a gap back to the trailing pair of Pirates Puff and Lady Cowgirl.

Deep stretch and to the finish, Envy with the lead, but Too Scared To Party was moving forward with every jump… Maggie Greene found a hole and was in full flight… but as they hit the wire, Too Scared To Party was just too strong to be beat and nailed Envy in the last few jumps to take the win.  Maggie Greene was a length back in third, Ete Creek fourth, Number Nine fifth, Graceful American sixth, High Ended seventh, Pirates Puff and Lady Cowgirl in a dead heat for eighth, Unmistakable tenth and Goblin Judge rounded this one out.

Too Scared To Party is a 3yo black filly by Pinnacle West – Scaredy Cat, by Brave Decision, and she was bred by in WV by Martyparty.  Purchased by Smokey Stover just two starts back via Private Purchase for $900.000, and she’s won both of those starts for the new conditioner.  That’s four wins this season, eight lifetime victories and earnings of $892.530.  She’s running huge as we head towards BC weekend.

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Firm              Time: :46⁴  1:10   1:34¹  1:58³
$1 Exacta: 11 – 6 Paid 110.30           $1 Trifecta: 11 – 6 – 1 Paid 1,505.30
Scratched: Hash Tag Hash

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES