Fayette – Grade II
1 1/8 Mile Dirt Stake Purse $200.000 Open 3 Year Olds And Up.

1st Unbridled Passion Mb Stables Saez L

This one had the luxury of stalking its stablemate through pretty soft fractions but had to work really hard to hold off the closer’s winning by just a nose in the end. Taking his maiden just 5 months ago he has really found his groove since then winning his third in a row today and second graded stakes. It says something when his optional claiming win just two months ago was run quicker than today’s race, in fact quicker than both his graded stakes victories and that is where it pays to keep an eye on those types of races especially as there isn’t a clear line between class structures at the moment. With four wins from seven this year after being bought for just forty dollars as a maiden at the start of the year he is clearly on a fast upward curve at the moment.

2nd Orion Nebula John Henry Contreras L

This one normally sits much closer to the pace than he did today and with a pretty average pace it may have been that which cost him success. He really is a hot and cold sort and ran much more like the SA Derby winner and Haskell fourth place finisher than the horse we have seen in his last two starts. One feels that if he sorts his head out he could be very very good.

3rd Set In Space Nakamura Stables Pereira T J

In a blanket finish this one came out third. With just one win to his name there are some interesting conditions still open to him and i wonder now whether the trainer will let him go to school for a few races.

4th Chai Morning Aer Stables Talamo J

The Preakness winner needed another furlong today as he tried to make up ground off a slow pace. Beaten less than a length this was another fine effort.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES