11/21/2020

  4   WO   Bessarabian Stakes (GII)
$175.000     3yo&Up F&M     7f  Dirt         3yo 120lbs  Older 123lbs  +penalties

Due a big run indeed…  The tote board got lit-up in Saturday’s Bessarabian Stakes (GII) as the long-shots reigned supreme…  Zero Twist, sent off at nearly 16/1 odds took the win by a length, sitting chilly early, gaining around the far turn and striding home for the win.  Gravel And Wine, sent off at more than 19/1 odds pressed or set the pace, had a lead into the lane but could not hold off the winner, settling for the second spot, a length better than Argana in third, another double-digit-odds horse.

The field made their way into the starting gate and as the gates sprung open it was Skygazer and Gravel And Wine away quickly, back down to the rail for the trio of Argana, Pure Addiction and You Just Have 2 Wait.  Threat Unknown was next then back to the trailing pair of Zero Twist and Kalaeloa.

Making their way down the backside and nearing the far turn with five-sixteenths of a mile to run, we had a speed duel with Skygazer and Gravel And Wine showing the way by three lengths.  You Just Have 2 Wait giving chase, then the trio of Zero Twist three wide, Argana between horses and Pure Addiction with a ground saving trip.  Another gap back to the trailing duo of Threat Unknown and Kalaeloa.

Around the far turn and now into the lane with three sixteenths of a mile to run, Wine And Gravel took command and was two and a half lengths in front.  Zero Twist fanned out for the drive and was digging in, a length back to Skygazer who was going in the wrong direction, You Just Have 2 Wait on the rail, Argana three wide, then a length to Kalaeloa, Pure Addiction and Threat Unknown.

Inside the final 150-yards and to the finish, Zero Twist moved up quickly on Gravel and Wine, went right on past and under the wire clear by a length to take the win.  Gravel And Wine continued on well to take the second spot, another length back to Argana in third, then a half-length back to Kalaeloa in fourth, Threat Unknown in fifth, You Just Have 2 Wait sixth, Pure Addiction seventh and Skygazer tired to last.

Zero Twist is a 3yo bay filly by Zero Return – El Gran Twist, by El Gran Senor, and she was bred in NY by her owner, John Henry.  This was her fifth win from twelve starts, four of those coming from her ten 2020 starts, and she now has lifetime earnings of $363.530.

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Fast               Time: :23   :46   1:09²  1:21²
$1 Exacta: 7 – 6 Paid 362.00              $1 Trifecta: 7 – 6 – 3 Paid 1,554.70
Scratched: None

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES