Preakness Stakes winner Seize the Gray returned to high kind with a front-running victory within the $1 million Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby Sept. 21 at Parx Racing.
Requested for pace early by rider Jaime Torres, Seize the Gray made the lead and loped alongside by way of fractions of :23.89, :49.25, and 1:13.81. Santa Anita Derby winner Stronghold lodged a menacing problem exterior the chief within the lane, however Seize the Gray repelled him to win going away by 3 3/4 lengths in a time of 1:51.89 for the 1 1/8 miles.
Nearing the end with the end result now not doubtful, Torres stood within the irons and celebrated as Seize the Gray crossed the wire a lot one of the best.
“I did not anticipate to get the lead that straightforward,” Torres stated. “I assumed it will be extra powerful, however you must come out and follow the plan. If you happen to can comply with the plan that is a superb factor.”
Stronghold was second. Dragoon Guard rallied alongside the within to complete third, snapping his four-race profitable streak. Longshot Uncle Heavy completed fourth.
After a pair of disappointing losses at Saratoga within the Belmont Stakes and the Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes introduced by Mohegan Solar, 3-year-old Seize the Gray once more seemed like a traditional winner. Despatched out by legendary 89-year-old coach D. Wayne Lukas for possession group MyRacehorse, Seize the Gray completed the 1 1/8 miles in 1:51.89 and paid $10.60 to win.
Seize the Gray’s victory supplied his MyRacehorse 2,570 micro-share homeowners with one other unforgettable thrill as he led all through.
“I do not know if I’ve ever been concerned with that many people who find themselves crying and hugging and leaping up and down,” Lukas stated. “It was unbelievable. The actual pleasure is doing it in your purchasers. After you win one, you might be all the time fascinated about the clientele.”
After leaping to the higher echelon of the 3-year-old class with back-back-to-back wins within the Grade 2 Pat Mile Day Mile introduced by SAP at Churchill Downs and Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course, Seize the Gray completed seventh within the Belmont Stakes and fourth within the Jim Dandy in his most up-to-date begin.
“The factor about him is that after the debacle in Saratoga he skilled brilliantly ever since. He was actually sharp day by day. That is very gratifying,” Lukas stated. “I used to be very assured. I’ve been that assured with him thrice and all thrice he gained.”
Certain for Gainesway Farm after his racing profession, Seize the Grey added one other dose of top-level success to his resume that features 5 wins in 13 profession begins. The Nov. 2 Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar could possibly be subsequent, however Lukas was unsure if the Massive Ass Followers Breeders’ Cup Filth Mile or the $7 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Traditional at 1 1/4 miles can be one of the best for him.
“I’ll give them my vote. I do not prefer to make selections within the winner’s circle,” Lukas stated. “I’m pondering (Filth Mile) however a mile-and-a-quarter is properly inside his scope, particularly on that observe. If you’re ever going to get a mile-and-a-quarter, you’re going to get it (at Del Mar).”
It wasn’t as straightforward as her three earlier Grade 1 victories this yr, however Thorpedo Anna ‘s class got here by way of in the long run with a slender rating within the $1 million Grade 1 Cotillion Stakes Sept. 21 at Parx Racing.
Boxed in turning for residence, Thorpedo Anna shouldered her approach exterior of horses when she gained room on the high of the stretch and ran down a sport Gun Music by a neck margin on the wire.
The overwhelming 1-9 favourite in an eight-horse discipline, Thorpedo Anna ($2.20) clocked the 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.45 beneath common rider Brian Hernandez Jr.. Gun Music completed second at 44-1 odds. Tarifa was third.
Thorpedo Anna was exiting a heartbreaking loss to Fierceness within the Grade 1 DraftKings Travers Stakes Aug. 24 in opposition to males at Saratoga. The Kenny McPeek trainee runs for the partnership of Brookdale Racing, Mark Edwards, Judy Hicks, and Magdalena Racing.
When McPeek reported a month in the past that Thorpedo Anna would goal the Cotillion in opposition to her personal intercourse quite than re-oppose males within the Pennsylvania Derby, victory appeared all however inevitable for the filly sensation. And so the racing public watched with bated breath as Thorpedo Anna reduce the win a bit too shut for consolation Saturday afternoon.
“Oh my goodness. That is what horse racing is about,” stated co-owner and breeder Judy Hicks after the race.
Thorpedo Anna added to her Eclipse Award-worthy resume, having secured earlier season wins in each high race in her division together with the Grade 1 Longines Kentucky Oaks, the Grade 1 DK Horse Acorn Stakes, and the Grade 1 Teaching Membership American Oaks.
“A win is a win. I’m going to take it,” stated McPeek. “I am not complaining. Good ones overcome all the things. She is head over heels above the 3-year-old fillies.”
Slicing again to the 1 1/16-mile journey after touring the traditional 1 1/4-mile distance within the Travers, common rider Brian Hernandez tucked Thorpedo Anna right into a stalking place simply behind pacesetting Mystic Lake and Gun Music by way of the opening fractions. Following splits of :23.94, :48.01, and 1:12.55, Thorpedo Anna discovered herself boxed in with nowhere to go as the sector turned for residence. Affected person and conscious of the loaded cannon beneath him, Hernandez waited till Mystic Lake conceded her benefit and the early runners drifted aside earlier than gunning Thorpedo Anna for the leaders.
Thorpedo Anna edged in entrance of her sport rival, who had re-rallied strides from the end. Hernandez, whereas encouraging his filly, by no means as soon as used the whip on Thorpedo Anna.
“(John Velazquez aboard Gun Music) put us in a field, and we have been simply caught there behind him for an extended, very long time,” stated Hernandez. “Then we lastly received a bit appear turning for residence. She lengthened her stride, and she or he was in a position to simply put her neck in entrance. She simply confirmed how sport she was from the eighth pole residence.”
The subsequent cease for Thorpedo Anna would be the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff Nov. 2 at Del Mar. — Molly Rollins