HAW Gold Cup Grade II
For Three Year Olds and Upward
Going a Mile and a Fourth on the Dirt
For a Purse of $400.000
at Hawthorne
on Saturday October 8, 2011
The HAW Gold Cup Grade II was not won by the big favorite Rancho Ruler, but the other big favorite in the race, Mordred. Iwin picked this on top, and now lets take a look at how this unfolded.
Mordred was not the quickest out of the gate, but he typically will race from off the pace. In the opening quarter as the field passed the grandstand for the first time would be fifth about seven lengths from the pace setter. As he headed into the club house turn he would remain to be fifth by eight lengths. He seemed to be settled in and running well from the way Pablo Morales had him settled. Morales bring down the back stretch nice and calm but advances two lengths to now only be about six from the front. Into the far turn they go, and Morales still has not demanded much from him. Into the stretch, Morales whips him to the outside, and rallies with him from fifth to first, to go on and win the race. While Mordred won the race he covered the mile and a quarter on the dirt main track in 2:00.92 which ties the track record. What an outstanding performance. Congratulations to owner Diablo Diablo and his connections.
California Sunset also was an early trailer in the early going and would sit just off of Mordred to be last of six. In the opening quarter, he would eight lengths from the front. Rosie kept him quiet as they went into the club house turn and would fade to be nine off the leader. Into the back stretch Rosie started to demand more and California Sunset responded nicely as he closed the gap to be six. Into the far turn Rosie kept him towards the rail, and found running room as they rallied to be fourth by a length and three quarters. Into the stretch they kept being persistent and it paid off as they finished second for owner Alydar Stables.
Big Waste Of Time was out of the gate to be fourth and running well about four lengths of the pace. Into the club house turn he would spot the field five lengths. Into the back stretch he would rally to make up a length. Into the far turn he slipped to be fifth, but in the stretch would rally back under the guidance of E J Wilson to finish third for owner Barcelona Farms.
Rancho Ruler was out running and try to press the pace from third position about two and a quarter lengths from the front. Throughout the majority of the race he would hold down the third position. As the field turned for home, he started to tire, and would fade to be fourth for owner Australia Wide. Rancho Ruler was the post time favorite, and disappointed many with todays run.
Ducks And Drakes was your early pace setter. Open the half in a decent :48.4. Came to the three quarters in 1:13.1 which is a :24.2 quarter. Which is roughly had been running in the first two quarters. In the far turn he took them to the mile in 1:37.3 which is another quarter in :24.2. From there he would start to tire at the mile, to finish fifth for owner Dynark Stables.
Dogtastic was quick to go out and press the pace while being only a quarter length from the leader Ducks And Drakes. He would stay there put throughout the three quarters of a mile. With just four furlongs to go in the far turn he would place his nose right along side Ducks And Drakes to be co first place at the mile. Into the stretch he would tire and fade to be sixth for owner Drabfantasy.
Until next time this is Iwin signing off!
