MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2018
It's been a busy week in the world of horse racing. With three big stakes races this weekend and yearlings by top stallions bringing the big money at the Keeneland Yearling Sale throughout the week, there's a lot to keep you occupied as a horse racing fan.
The Woodbine MileThe Woodbine Mile on Saturday was nothing short of phenomenal, particularly for the connections of grade 1 winner OSCAR PERFORMANCE. Just over a month ago, they had watched the KITTEN'S JOY colt vanned off the track at Arlington uncertain of his future. This weekend, they watched him earn his fourth grade 1 win in the $800,000 Woodbine Mile by 1 1/2 lengths over our pick for the race, MR HAVERCAMP.
OSCAR PERFORMANCE put in a truly great run going gate to wire holding the lead by a good length the entire race and securing his place in the Breeders' Cup Mile. MR HAVERCAMP put in a fight at the end as the two dualed neck and neck, but ultimately OSCAR PERFORMANCE edged forward for the win. MR HAVERCAMP held onto second by a neck over STORMY ANTARACTIC. The favorite DELTA PRINCE came in fourth with jockey Castellano stating "He didn't show up today for some reason. Had a nice comfortable rhythm behind the winner, but when I asked him at the top of the stretch, he just didn't respond today."
The Iroquois & The Pocohontas
From Woodbine, we head to Churchill for Opening Day and the $150,000 Iroquois (G3) and $200,000 Pocahontas Stakes (G2). The Iroquois is a 1 1/16 mile dirt race open to two year olds. Our pick for the win, TIGHT TEN held the lead fending off MY SIXTH SENSE. At the turn, the field came four wide with TIGHT TEN battling to stay ahead but off the rail in the final sixteenth surged CAIRO CAT to win by half a length. POLE SETTER finished third.
CAIRO CAT earned his first grade 3 victory just a month after winning his seven furlong maiden special weight at Saratoga, as well as a Win and You're In for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1). He is also the first black type winner for stallion CAIRO PRINCE, who stands at Airdrie Stud.
Finally we have the grade 2 Pocahontas for fillies. From gate to wire it was SERENGETI EMPRESS. At the turn she was already five lengths ahead and romped the west of the way home with a 19 1/2 length lead and securing her spot in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. It was just a month ago that she romped home by 13 1/2 lengths in the Ellis Park Debutante, but she was even more impressive as she cruised to the wire in 1:34.47. It was a battle for second however as SPLASHY KISSES and LIGHTSCAMERAACTION dualed. Ultimately SPLASHY KISSES took the place by 1 1/2 lengths and covering our 1/3 exacta pick, which paid $15.60.
Have a great week!
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