Today there was only one race on the card at Hastings Park and it was a nice Grade 3 race for 3 year olds. The weather was perfect and the dirt course came back fast. All 4 horses that signed on for the race entered the starting stall and the betting public were firmly behind Whatever Man. As the gates opened up for this 3 turn journey all of the horses came out well, but Steel Suited from the outside wanted the lead. 2 furlongs into the race Steel Suited had scampered away from Miami Fan who was in second a length and ¾ behind Whatever Man was in 3^rd 3 lengths off the leader with Garibaldi sitting 5 lengths off the pace in 4^th with 7 furlongs left to run. A half mile into the race the running order was unchanged and the lengths the horses were off the pace had not changed, with the opening half mile run in 47 and 2. The only change in the race was Whatever Man had been guided off the rail. ¾ of a mile into the race Steel Suited appeared to be getting tired on the lead but he held a length and a half lead over Whatever Man who appeared to be hitting his best stride. Miami Fan was in 3^rd and Garibaldi was still in 4^th but was also making a closing run. With ¼ mile to go Steel Suited was on the lead but appeared to have thrown in the towel, Whatever Man was still in 2^nd but was only ¼ of a length off Steel Suited with Miami Fan in 3^rd, and Garibaldi sitting in 4^th. It appeared as if Whatever Man and Garibaldi were traveling the best and it may be a mad dash to the wire for both of these horses. Ultimately Whatever Man passed Steel Suited just outside the 1.5 furlong mark and never looked back. Garibaldi ran on well for 2^nd and Steel Suited held on for 3^rd with Miami Fan finishing 4^th. The final time in 148.09 equaled the track record that was set by Rhythm Line on 10/2/2011. Let’s take a look at the race breakdown and the payouts:

Track: Fast
Time: :47²  1:11¹  1:35³  1:48

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 1 – 3 Paid 6.30

Scratched: None

Claimed:
None

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES