2/15/2013

[Admin Maria]

HOT OFF THE TRACK

Year eight started off with a bang, the foals sired by the greats hitting the track for the first time. Several of our reporters where there when the Maiden races ran, and here is what they had to say.

As the Mornings fog lifted from the track, life was already bustling as the first group of horses were loaded into the gates for the first race of the day. Located on the Turf and going for one mile and seven furlongs was the Turf Distance Maiden.

As the bell rang and the announcer shouted AND THEY'RE OFF!! the horses sprang from the gates. For the first hundred yards or so He's A Pirate and half brother Devil I Am were the perfect pair, matching each other stride for stride. Spectators began to whisper as their read their race cards and saw who these two colts where. Half a length behind them was Rocket Away and then it was Glock on the inside, with Flying Expectations and Fearless Freak at the back. As they came to the back stretch the two brothers continued to battle, setting a grueling pace.

At the five furlong pole things changed, Devil I Am seemed to lose steam, and quickly as the others in the field flew past him. He's A Pirate maintained a two length lead as Rocket Away came up to challenge him. Behind her was Fearless Freak trailing by a nose, with Glock right beside him. Five hundred yards from the finish line Glock passed by Fearless Freak on the outside. As they reached three hundred yards from the finish Flying Expectations passed Fearless Freak just as they reached the wire.

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Fans didn't have much time to celebrate or mourn as the next group were loaded onto the dirt track, for the dirt sprint. There was a soft murmur throughout the crowd as they waited... and then the announcer shouted AND THEY'RE OFF! as the gates sprang open. Foxwedge and Vanquished took to the lead, followed by Keegan only half a length off, on the inside. Mindset was two lengths behind Keegan as they reached the backstretch. Vanquished dropped back as they flew down the stretch, with Mindset passing them on the inside. With four hundred yards to go Foxwedge dropped back, allowing Keegan to take a two length lead as Vanquished trailed Mindset by half a length with Keegan one length behind them as they crossed the wire.

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After a brief break, the fans were back and waiting as the turf sprinters were loaded into the gates. AND THEY'RE OFF!! The gates sprang open and the field bolted from them, with Neith in the lead setting a swift pace. Behind her was Conquistador on the inside with Phonetica on the outside. In the back was Exalted one trailing behind Grey Maiden by half a length.

As the field passed the third furlong pole, Neith dropped back which allowed Phonetica to pass her, with Conaquistador just a nose behind her. At the five furlong pole Phonetica was in the lead with Grey Maiden two lengths off her, and Exalted One on the outside. Conaquistador trailed her by half a length with Neith just off his flank and bringing up the back of the field. Phonetica crossed the wire with a three length lead, causing fans to cheer.

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The final Maiden race held yet another long awaited reveal, fans gasping as the striking black reverse brindle filly pranced down the track in the post parade. Murmurs broke out amongst the stands, as they waited for the horses to be loaded. At the announcers call the gates sprang open and Phantom Menace headed straight for the lead, opening up a half length lead on Evil Essence and Royal Ambition. Behind them was Winchester two lengths off the lead on the outside, with Pioneer half a length behind him.

Fans seemed to hold their breath as the field plowed down the track, the only sound was the muffled thud of hooves. As the field reached the first turn Evil Essence dropped back, allowing Royal Ambition to trail the lead by a length and a half. Pioneer opened up a half length lead on Winchester and followed Evil Essence by a length.

As they turned for home Pioneer closed the distance on Royal Ambition who only managed to maintain a half length lead. Winchester opened up a length lead on Evil Essence while Phantom Menace dominated them all with a five length lead. At this point it looked as though the Daemon filly was just breezing, not worried about the horses thundering down behind her. The field remained the same as they crossed the wire and Phantom Menace won by four and a half lengths. Royal Ambition came in second with Pioneer a half length behind, then Winchester a nose behind him with Evil Essence bringing up the rear.

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There was a brief break while the winners of the maidens were given their purses and pictures taken in the winners circle. As the fans returned and settled down, the first racers were brought out into the paddock.

[flatcreek]

The first graded race of the day was the Rachel Alexandra Memorial for the turf distance runners. The favorite was Animal Kingdom, winner of two legs of last hear's Treble. Considered to be a threat were March To Glory, Stardust, and Eastern Expression. As the gates sprung open, In The Distance swept to the lead followed by Eastern Expression, The Wizard, Animal Kingdom, A Thrush's Song, Stardust, and March To Glory. They stayed in much the same position untile the turn for home, when Animal Kingdom sprinted forward. In The Disatnce and Eastern Expression started to fade. As they passed under the wire, it was Animal Kingdom by a length, with A Thrush's Song secure in second by one and a quarter lengths. In The Distance was third, followed by The Wizard, March To Glory, Eastern Expression, and Stardust trailed.

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Next on the card was the Protection Stakes for dirt distance runners. The field was highlighted by Constellation, but was wide open odds wise. "AND THEY'RE OFF!" was called out and the horses flew out of the gates. Newly turned three year old Unsung Hero sprinted to the lead, soon gaining a two length lead over Constellation. Th rest of the field was very bunched up behind the champion, waiting until later on in the race to make their moves. As they can around the turn for home, Verdical, Fiorion, and In Da Dog House made their moves and swept past Constellation. Unsung Hero had opened up a three length lead, and it proved to difficult for the trio to pass him. Unsung Hero crossed the wire a half a length in front, followed by Verdical, In Da Dog House, Fiorion, Constellation, Accipiter, Zodiac Signal, and Numerical.

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Next up was the Viva La Vida Stakes for dirt sprinters. Highlighting the field was The Wild Life. When the gates clanged open, Fly By Knight shot to the front while the favorite was boxed in with the rest of the field. After four furlongs, Fly By Knight had opened up a good four length lead over the field, which was still very bunched up. Platinum Dream emerges from the field to give chase, with Shining High and Open At The Close giving chase. Switch and Alphabet Falls had The Wild Life boxed in towards the back. As they crossed the wire, it was Fly By Knight in a dominating three length victory over Platinum Dream, Shining High, Open At The Close, Impressivly, The Wild Life, Switch, and Alphabet Falls.

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The last of the grade three races was the Maria Maria Stakes, featuring Eastern Elements. When the gates opened, Spring's Delight burst out in front, leading the rest of the bunched up field by half a length. Eastern Elements settled into a stalking second, with All That Jazz, Warrior Princess, and Ash and Fire right behind. The rest of the field was bunches up behind. With a quarter of a mile left, Springs Delight started to give way to the presence of Eastern Elements at her flank. The favorite took over the lead, drawing away to t length lead as she crossed the wire. Springs Delight held for second, followed by Warrior Princess, Turawen, All That Jazz, Touch The Sky, Alouette, Ash And Fire, and Hellion Heiress.