BC Juvenile Turf - Grade I
11/5/2011 15:45 CD Race #8 1m Turf Graded Stake Purse $1,000.000 For Colts And Geldings Two Years Old
An outside draw in a packed field used to be considered a handicap in the old days. Times are indeed a changing as yesterday, Got A Pal shot like a rocket from his number 12 post to angle in on the rail just before the clubhouse turn. From there, the speedy Barcelona Farms gelding cruised along saving ground under a perfect ride from top jock Garret Gomez. He crossed the wire to win by a neck over the hard charging Grand Solar. My Pet Dogma closed to get third one length behind.
Got A Pal ran the mile turf course in the blazing time of 1:33.75. The previous record stakes record belonged to multiple graded stakes winner Sub Zero, whose winning time in 2008 was 1:34.38.
The race began with a full tilt cavalry charge at the break. It seemed as if all fourteen entries were determined to hit the race to the first turn in the lead. Got A Pal got a jump on the rest and angled in to the rail after breaking from the #12 spot. #13 Psycho Circus took over in front, looking to cut over but was prevented by #11 Hampton Bays, trying to do the same just to his inside. Left hanging was #14 Cool City Cop, whose desperate charge found him forced wide along with the other unlucky ones. Meanwhile, some of those to the inside were swallowed up like Jonah in the whale. It was a not a pretty sight, however it is something race fans are quickly getting used to these days.
Cool City Cop took over the lead at the top of the backstretch. Corey Nakatani successfully angled the little gray colt to just off the rail. Got A Pal stalked him a length back on the rail. They were followed by a closely packed mob that included Hampton Bays, Psycho Circus, My Pet Dogma, Grand Solar and El Gran Monsoon. District, Freak Event and Darkseid brought up the rear.
Cool City Cop continued to lead as the horses began the turn for home. Got Pal hung close to him on the rail. Behind the front running pair was a desperate bunched up mob scrambling for position while stalking the leaders. This wild bunch lined nearly abreast as they tried and failed to find inside room. Grand Solar, Hampton Bays, El Gran Monsoon, and Psycho Circus found themselves wide yet again in the second turn.
The front running eight horses lined up so close they caused those behind them to either run wide or in some cases being trapped by traffic. This unlucky bunch included District, Freak Event, Bedford Falls and Darkseid.
Cool City Cop continued to lead as the horses hit the top of the stretch. He was challenged immediately by Got A Pal on the rail and Grand Solar along with My Pet Dogma to his outside. Despite their earlier troubles, the latter pair pushed on until the front running four pulled away from the others by two lengths.
Cool City Cop began to falter at last after his desperate wide charge and fast lead began to tell. Got A Pal took over the lead by the slimmest of margins midway through the stretch. Grand Solar surged into second with the tiring but still game Cool City Cop trying to hold off My Pet Dogma. It was clear by now this was a four horse race to the finish.
As the four pushed on, Grand Solar drew even with Got A Pal as the pair moved up to hold a one length advantage over Cool City Cop and My Pet Dogma.
The fans jumped their feet, their shouts and cheers drowning out the announcer as Got A Pal and Grand Solar battled each other to the wire in a dramatic head-bobbing duel. The finish was tight but Got A Pal held the edge to win by a neck over Grand Solar. My Pet Dogma was third while the plucky Cool City Cop hung on for a close fourth place finish.
Got A Pal is a gelded son of Simply Awesome Pal. Owner Barcelona Farms bred the gelding in California. The tall gray broke his maiden in his second outing last spring. He went on to win a string of three races including two ungraded stakes. He finished third behind Cool City Cop in the LRL Futurity last month.
His win in the BC Juvenile Turf marks his first graded stakes victory and improves his record to 7-5-0-1 with $ 770.54o in earnings.
Track: Firm
Time: :222 :453 1:093 1:333
$2 Mutuel Prices:
$1 Exacta: 12 - 9 Paid 84.80
$1 Trifecta: 12 - 9 - 3 Paid 817.60
Scratched: Cryptomagic, Bold Machiavellian, Summer Fun
