He's A Pirate
Eidolon
Thatswhenyoushine
He's A Pirate
Eidolon
Pioneer
Daemon
Autumn Fun
Flat Creek Racing
Ferndale Farms
Post by symphony on Mar 10, 2013 6:08:39 GMT -5
Maiden Plate
The maidens once again kicked off the days racing with four Maiden Plates running over the mile on varying surfaces. By post time, a light rain had set in and the track was rated as Slow.
The dirt sprinters were the first to go, with a field of three lining up at post time, all two year olds with at least one start under their belts. Vanquished was starting as the favourite, after finishing a strong second to Mindset in her first start and a short rest; though colts Keegan and Foxwedge weren't far behind, fueled by the debate on whether the single filly could contest both of them.
Foxwedge went straight to the lead from the gates, shooting out from the inside barrier to take the rail. Vanquished was hot on his heels in second, a little to the outside and in early pursuit, while Keegan trailed the field by two. Vanquished reduced Foxwedge's lead down to half a length through the first four furlongs, holding her position through the turn, while Keegan began to move and sat behind by a length. As they turned into the stretch, Vanquished drifted out a little, moving into another gear to sweep past Foxwedge without even trying. Keegan swooped up on the outside to challenge Foxwedge for second, both colts chasing after the filly, but she couldn't be caught - Vanquished swept down the straight to beat the colts by four, with Foxwedge finishing half a length ahead of a fast-closing Keegan.
Maiden Plate
A field of five stepped onto the track for the next maiden plate, headed by Devil I Am and Deirdre as equal favourites. Again, there was some trouble at the gates with Devil I Am, and then they were away with the Flat Creek colt taking an early two length lead. Flying Expectations followed on the rail, Siofra to the outside, Fearless Freak and Deidre running together a length and a half behind. Two lengths in, Deirdre and Fearless Freak began to drift out, making room for Siofra to drop back and onto the rail, while Deirdre took her place to the outside of Flying Expectations, with Devil I Am still going strong two lengths ahead.
As they turned into the stretch, Fearless Freak rounded up most of the field to move forward with Deirdre and challenge the lead. Devil I Am fought for it, trapped against the rail, but Deirdre began to pull away at the line, securing it by half a length to Devil I Am. Fearless Freak came in third by a head, with Flying Expectations two lengths behind and another half to Siofra.
Maiden Plate
Only three came out for the next Maiden, and it was a field of all colts. Winchester of Ferndale Farms was ahead in the betting by just a little, looking on-form and calm in the post parade. Pioneer and Royal Ambition hadn't found much favour with the crowd this time around, both drifting out slightly from their beginning odds.
At the break it was Winchester with the early lead, breaking fast along the rail and looking like he was enjoying the slow going. Pioneer sat a half-length away on his outside, refusing to budge, and Royal Ambition was out of the race three lengths behind and struggling in the mud.
At the five furlong marker it was still half a length to Winchester, with another four to Royal Ambition. With three furlongs to go, the colt was asked for some more, beginning to make up ground, but the rest of the field was moving as well, and Pioneer moved up to challenge Winchester, reducing his lead to a head. The Ferndale colt kicked in then, drawing off again at the wire to finish a half in front, with another two to Royal Ambition and a slow time for the mile.
Maiden Plate
The final Maiden also saw a small turnout of three, with Rocket Away the hot favourite over the two fillies of the field, Neith and Grey Maiden. Grey Maiden took the lead by three out of the gate, Neith and Rocket Away neck and neck behind her. Around the turn, Rocket Away began to inch out, pulling away from Neith by a half length at the beginning of the stretch and moving out to challenge a tiring Grey Maiden for the lead.
Rocket Away took the lead by a neck halfway through the stretch, Grey Maiden tiring but holding on, and Neith closing in from the rail. The Flat Creek colt had it by a neck though, with Grey Maiden holding on for second and Neith a half away and closing.
