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Watch 4 The Sailor Takes El Camino
By
Scotty
Feb 15, 2011,
2:22:32 PM
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2/12/2011 GG Post Time 7:05EST
RACE 11 GG El Camino (GIII)
$230.000 3yo 1 1/8m Dirt
Looks like Deschutes Racing has a good one... a VERY good one, indeed. Watch 4 The Sailor set sail in the lane, and edged clear late to take the El Camino (GIII) at GG, moving the gray colt a step closer to CD, that first weekend in May. Willow Grove gave a great effort as the luke-warm favorite to be second, and Sabers Edge was third.
The field of ten were away with six of the ten trying to secure the early advantage - Sabers Edge, Fabro II, Watch 4 The Sailor, Super Six from the far outside, Laffin Match next to that one - all out quickly. Then Willow Grove towards the rail, Big Notion from between horses, with Dukified and Sea Eagle.
By the stands and into the clubhouse turn, they had six and a half furlong to run and Super Six now had a neck on Sabers Edge. Willow Grove from the rail raced third, Watch 4 The Sailor, then a length to Cuyahoga Challenge, Fabro II towards his inside, Laffin Match from his outside. Sea Eagle moved over to the rail, then Big Notion and Dukified was the trailer, seven lengths from the leader.
Making their way down the backside and past the half-mile marker, four of them lined up - Super Six from the outside by a head, Watch 4 The Sailor now giving that one pressure, Sabers Edge a neck back in the two path and Willow Grove still skimming the paint. Two and a half lengths back to Cuyahoga Challenge, three wide, Sea Eagle on the rail and Fabro II between that pair. Laffin Match was five wide and a bit rank, then two lengths to Big Notion and Dukified could still see them all.
Swing around the far turn to the top of the lane and this one was still wide open and they passed the three sixteenth's pole - four of them accros the track - Watch 4 The Sailor had a nose in front, Willow Grove still full of run from the rail, Sabers Edge from between that pair and Super Six four wide. Two lengths back, another wall of four that included Cuyahoga Challenge, Sea Eagle from the inside, and Fabro II from between that pair. Laffin Match was trying to find more from the outside of that group, then a length to Dukified, who was showing some late foot and Big Notion looked done for the day.
Inside the final furlong, this was a real horse race... Watch 4 The Sailor had a nose in front of Willow Grove, who slipped up the rail and was ready to do battle. Sabers Edge from between that pair felt the whip, Super Six now dropping back a bit as the wide trip took it's toll. A line of five trying to get involved, but this was shaping up to be a three-horse fight to the finish.
Now inside the final 150-yards and to the wire, Watch 4 The Sailor had their number and a half length advantage, and extended it to three-quarters of a length as he went under the wire. Willow Grove gamely held on for second as Sabers Edge made a late surge. Super Six was fourth, then Fabro II, Cuyahoga Challenge and Laffin Match in seventh. Dukified was eighth, Sea Eagle and Big Notion closed out the field.
Watch 4 The Sailor is a 3yo gray cold by Sinbad The Sailor - Watch 4 Trench, by Trench Coat, and he was bred by his owner in Cal. Now showing four wins from nine starts, and earnings of $269.360, this one has stamped himself as a horse to watch on the TC Trail.
$2 Mutuel Prices:
Track: Fast Time: :482 1:124 1:374 1:504
$1 Exacta: 7 - 1 Paid 22.60
$1 Trifecta: 7 - 1 - 3 Paid 222.10
Scratched: None
RECAP Watch 4 The Sailor was forwardly placed throughout, up to take the lead at the top of the lane, all out to the finish. Willow Grove, never far back, saved ground while contesting the pace, short lead into the stretch, could not hold off the winner. Sabers Edge broke alertly, on or near the lead throughout, out-kicked late. Super Six broker alertly, wide trip, tired late. Fabro II gave an even effort, improved position late. Cuyahoga Challenge, evenly, no factor. Laffin Match had a wide trip while no factor. Dukified trailed early while in hand, passed tiring rivals. Sea Eagle had no excuse, tired late. Big Notion was outrun.
Scotty
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