New Yorker Results by roxyken
on
Sunday, June 06, 2010 at
10:13:15 PM
Filly Comes up Short
The third leg of the Triple Crown, The New Yorker, had a different horse taking the top spot. The speed for the race, 101, equaled the second slowest one recorded back in 2005. Jockey N. Painter collected his first New Yorker win. Just Vengeance won his third graded race and his second G1 to push his career earnings over the $1 million threshold.
Just Vengeance went straight to the front when the gate opened and taking up the second spot was the Bluegrass winner Lucky’s Howie. Mambo Heat and Summerinsaratoga ran as a pair just off the pace. Tizzjazz got favorable positioning in the fifth spot early on followed by well liked Prussian General. A group of horses followed in mid-field with To Die is Gain, Matusalem and Chelokee Again. Pacing behind that group was another cluster that included the Middle Jewel winner You See LA, Begone Oasis, and Prussian. A good length back, after being bumped early was Dancer’s Secret and granting the leader a dozen strides by the quarter pole was Stars of Buda.
As the field went down the backstretch, Just Vengeance continued to lead and started opening up his lead to 4 lengths. The others held their positions with no jockey venturing to tire their horses with an ill-fated move too soon.
Things would start to change as the field moved to the ¾ pole as Just Vengeance expanded his lead to over 5 strides. Mambo Heat slipped into the second spot as Lucky’s Howie started to fold. Summerinsaratoga held onto the forth spot, but dropped some 8 lengths off the lead. Matusalem started picking off horses and maneuvered into contention in the fifth position. You See LA, the race favorite, was also on the move, but not with her best effort. Chelokee Again joined You See LA on the outside and applied pressure on the favorite. Prussian wasn’t showing much, but edged past a few tiring horses. To Die is Gain had nothing to offer and drifted further off the lead. Begone Oasis had no gas in the tank and wasn’t going to hit the board in any of the big three races. Prussian General dropped back horribly, doubling the gap behind the leader. Tizzjazz ran well early on but by the mile marker he gave up. Stars of Buda had no late speed to offer and dropped out of the picture. Dancer’s Secret was eased and pulled up coming off the final turn.
Through the stretch, Just Vengeance was much the best and cruised to wire to take the win by over three lengths and paying backers $17.60. Longshot Mambo Heat glided across the wire easily taking second at 18-1. You See LA was able to run down Matusalem to take the third spot, disappointing many (including myself) just not able to fire up late.
My picks: You See LA was my top pick and finished third. Prussian, who had been recording nice speed numbers of late, had nothing to offer and finished 8th. Third Pick Chelokee Again looked like he could benefit going 12 furlongs and finished 5th.
I also tagged 3 potential spoilers: Mambo Heat who has shown ability to hit the board in graded racing and once again proved that by finishing 2nd. Prussian General had never finished lower than 2nd coming into this race ended that streak, finishing 12th. Lucky’s Howie won the Bluegrass and offered 10-1 for this race and finished mid-field in 7th.
