This now five year old under the watchful eye of trainer Nolespan Racing has turned a major corner here at AQU on Saturday, as he walked away with this seasons Gr. I Carter Hdcp. title, and his third straight trip to the winner’s circle.

• The Carter Handicap ( Gr. I ) ( P4)- Purse $400.000
• Aqueduct Racetrack- For Four Years old and Up
• Seven furlongs in Distance- Main Track

This is turning out to be an amazing story of how sticking to a plan or dream, can pay off with big dividends. Yocomoblazed under previous trainer and breeder Establo Pichon, was having little success last season racing on the turf and at some lower claiming prices with little success. All the competitors from his March 9th claiming 3.20 affair have all been deactivated except for him. He went just one for fourteen on the grass, and when he was entered in a higher claiming 10 race back on the dirt, his new interests saw something in him to place the money down and take him home. I don’t know if the grass is any greener over at the Nolespan Racing fields, or the sweet feed has just the right mix to it, but this horse has responded in major fashion. After being dismissed at some 619-1 odds when he captured the $100 Tiznow Stakes leading up to this event, many backers for this affair who saw the dream coming true, were glad with the payout they received as he was once again let go at a nice 34-1 payout odd for this race. So was the dirt footing the answer all along for him? Or did his new trainer figure out over the five month layoff the proper instructions to turn this once unsuccessful runner, into a true champion!! For those who are quick to deactivate a horse because it seems he doesn’t have the heart to win, let this be a lesson to you that you may be able to find that diamond in the rough every now and then. Congrats Nolespan Racing, this truly is a success story for the books. Enjoy the victory.

While the victory would be decided in a three way photo at the wire, the drop of six pounds off his back from his Tiznow victory, definitely was a key factor to Yocomoblazed returning a successful winner. Sent straight to the front from out of the backstretch chute, Yocomoblazed took to the rail and was then easied back by his rider J Talamo as four runners would pass him entering the far turn. To many it looked like his race was done, as now Iron Cross ( Fractious ) and Di Estate ( Gdp Inc) were locked in a head to head battle some two lengths in front. Others like Rocking The Boat ( Mb Stables ) and Tallmadge Star ( Oquinn Farm) had also progressed in front of him, looking to position themselves for the stretch run. But Talamo was confident in his horses ability to be ready when asked, and as he swept off the final turn and was put on his right lead, the five year old responded and put in a charge along the rail that probably shocked many here. By the eighth pole he was within a length of now lone front runner Iron Cross, and a neck in front of Tallmadge Star who was racing in the middle of the track. This trio would be captured in the final photo at the wire, only separated by a head and a nose. A brilliant performance by all three.

Not sure if the Tiznow Stakes is the key to doing well in this event, as runner-up here Iron Cross was the victor in that race last season. While he did only miss last season by a narrow margin in the Gr. I Cigar Mile, Iron Cross may take a slight drop in his next event to help him find the winner’s enclosure and bring victory to his stables. Definitely one to add to your watch list.

Tallmadge Star was another like the eventual winner, who was bringing two back to back victories to this affair in hopes of taking home the top prize. Her efforts were nothing more then spectacular as she was also pressing on late to try and steal the show. The gray is still only four years old, so there is still room to grow for him, and I think he will be mentioned a few more times this season in SRF articles, you can count on it. He and rider McCarthy have teamed up for his last two starts, and they seem to be building a bond.

Mb Stables’ entries of Rocking The Boat and Final Verse would complete the top five position for this event.

Disappointing to many was the fact that last years winner of this affair Sonar, fell short of the mark with a late charge that left him back in the pack. He may very well need to stretch out his distance to allow his kick to produce in the future.

Track: Fast
Time: :23¹  :46¹  1:09¹  1:21¹

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 8 – 7 Paid 689.80
$1 Trifecta: 8 – 7 – 9 Paid 1,494.30

Duffer

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES