IM Smokin Stakes
6 Furlongs Dirt Stake Purse $100.00 Open 2 Year Olds Foaled In CA.
Labor Day saw the running of the IM Smokin Stakes at DMR, a top notch stakes event for CA bred juveniles. Winning honors goes to Happy Ace, trained by The Fox. Happy Ace set a new record of 1:10.15, eclipsing the old mark of 1:10.46 set by Llandeilo in 2003, and over 2 seconds faster then last years win by Surveillance. Here is a recap of the race.
They broke off the gate cleanly with Break The Fashion showing a slight lead from the rail. Happy Ace stayed beside him with Uncle Knor and Fifties Beer off his flank wide. Ancient Explorer remained wide in fifth with Legend Speaker on the rail in sixth locked tight. All Time High trailed the field about three lengths off the leader. Ancient Explorer made a potential make or break move towards the front as the front five approached the corner. Break The Fashion was a head off the leader with Fifties Beer and a restrained Happy Ace within a length. Uncle Knor lost some ground in fifth with Legend Streaker on the rail in sixth with few options. All Time High has 5 lengths to make up in last. Ancient Explorer take the corner very wide while Break The Fashion has the least amount of ground to cover. Fifties Beer and Happy Ace are now closing. As they straighten out for home Break The Fashion regains control of the lead Fifties Beer and Happy Ace get closer. Uncle Knor and All Time High are wide but they do not have the late kick to catch the top four. Break The Fashion takes a bad step late allowing Ancient Explorer to regain control. Fifties Beer and Happy Ace also move past as they come into the final half furlong. Fifties Beer progress stalls as Happy Ace goes by and puts a nose up on Ancient Explorer. These two cross the line doing battle but it still is Happy Ace who shows the way by a slight margin.
