Calculator justified the hype and 3/5 odds with a defining 4 length win victory in the Sham Stakes over Rock Shandy.
The start was clean and Calculator was forced 5 wide out of the gate with several horses showing speed and establishing position. Calculator continued to be fanned wide going into the turn and actually lost a length or two. On the backstretch Elvis elected to stay outside going 4-5 wide while in a clear spot. With 5 furlongs to run Calculator started to pass horses while running in hand and with lots of energy, he looked full of run at every point. He made his run approaching the far tun while still wide and made the lead with a burst of speed going before the stretch. Much like El Kabeir the previous week he opened up a 3 length lead midway down the stretch and finished the race strong with a solid gallop out.
Rock Shandy had an inside trip on the back stretch and was able to relax and wait off the speed, going into the turn he angled outside and finished with a solid run for 2nd while never threatening the winner, but did widen down the lane back to the 3rd place finisher Pioneerof the West.
This was a solid race for Calculator, the track was very fast so the sub 1:35 mile will be adjusted by the speed guys. (Beyer Speed Figure- 97, @TimeformUS – 100) The impressive effort was accomplished off the 2 month layoff, with a wide trip and finishing strong down the lane with a vigorous gallop out. Calculator got a good conditioning run from this effort and I would expect him right back in the Robert Lewis Stakes.
Rock Shandy ran well to be second and finished with enough run that we will probably see him in another stakes races.
The rest of the field showed little. Rockinatten has a horrible stride and looks like a bad purchase. Unblunted showed absolutely nothing for the 2nd straight race with Hero Ten All missing in action in defeat.
The top 4 finishers were spread out with 9.25 lengths separating the top 4 finishers:
Calculator Dominates
Much like the Jerome Stakes and MMM Stakes, experienced good horses are dominating the early preps, winning by wide margins and showing how much the light raced horses are up against it.