A full field met the starting gate for the 2014 Blue Grass Stakes. The tote-board was spread with Bobby’s Kitten the favorite at 7/2.
Pablo Del Monte broke clean from the gate and opened up an uncontested lead down the backstretch. A comfortable half mile in just under 48 seconds and remained the leader going into the stretch. Approaching mid-stretch Pablo Del Monte began to fade and finished with interest but a well beaten 3rd place finish. A definite horse for course. The son of Giant’s Causeway will probably go back to the turf.
Bobby’s Kitten had a clear start and raced 2 wide down the backstretch while rating off the leader Pablo Del Monte. Bobby’s Kitten was pulling a little and jockey Javier Castalleno was trying to get him to rate, and Bobby did relax at the half mile pole but it may have been too late after pulling hard for the first half mile. Bobby advanced towards the leader approaching the turn and then had nothing for the drive. No excuses for Bobby he didn’t take to the Poly. Was rank early and got tired going into the turn. Looked like a short horse.
Medal Count broke alertly from the 13th post position and was wide down the backstretch. Raced wide towards the half mile pole and made a mid race move to establish position on the outside and was out-finished by Dance With Fate while clearly holding 2nd. He was not pushed late and clearly held 2nd and now has 40 points to make the Kentucky Derby field. Medal Count was 5 wide going into the first turn and was floated wide down the backstretch. Racing widest of all on the outside behind two groups of horses. Visually he had a clean trip, just very wide and definitely was eased by jockey Albarado after he had secured 2nd position.
Dance With Fate flashed a shiny coat in the post parade and looked good going into the gate. The son of Two Step Salsa looked like a winner on the turn and took advantage of his All Weather experience with a burst of speed half way down the stretch and finished strongly down the lane. Down the back stretch was when Dance With Fate secured a good position and was able to draft behind horses and not making a move until the group began to bunch up on the turn. A six wide move in the middle of track with Medal Count following him every step of the way. Dance With Fate had a quicker burst of speed to get position.
Dance With Fate and Medal Count have the points to go to Kentucky. Medal Count has the running style and pedigree to possibly have an impact in Kentucky. Medal Count did travel 32 more feet than Dance With Fate according to Trakus Data. Dance With Fate seems to be a product of synthetic surfaces. Two Step Salsa does not inspire confidence on the dirt at 10 furlongs. Saint Ballado does suggest some distance capability on the mare side for Dance With Fate. Solid efforts from both horses and despite a 14 horse field. Both enjoyed good trips.