A fast pace was projected in the Spiral Stakes. On paper Solitary Ranger looked capable of taking the lead with pressure possibly coming from Coastline and Almost Famous.
The start was clean for everyone with Solitary Ranger taking the lead. Almost Famous got away from the gate clean and tracked on the outside with Harry’s Holiday enjoying the 4 wide trip. Down the backstretch Solitary Ranger took the first quarter in 22 and 4 and the half in 47 and 1. At that point Coastline made his move and Solitary Ranger backed out pretty quickly. We Miss Artie began to pick up from 5th place.
Harry’s Holiday was persistent from the outside and took the lead as they entered the stretch, Coastline was chasing in 2nd. We Miss Artie went wide for the drive. Coastline had dead aim on Harry’s Holiday but could not get by despite having the entire stretch to nail him at the wire. This was disappointing with 2 prep races and two recent works, he should have defeated Harry’s Holiday who was softened up by the fractions.
Meanwhile, We Miss Artie made the same move from the half mile pole as he did in the Fountain of Youth, but did so against weaker competition and went outside for the drive rather than being stuck at the rail. In the final stride We Miss Artie got the head bob over a resolute Harry’s Holiday. Moving from 80 degree weather and humidity to 50 degree weather did not hurt We Miss Artie. We Miss Artie has no burst of speed that is his main problem on a dirt surface, he is the ultimate grinder, and he is also pretty slow. He just doesn’t fit with top horses on the dirt at a long distance.
Big Bazinga and Asserting Bear had interesting trips. Both were close to the pace but trapped inside horses when the running began. Asserting Bear may have had the worse trip and did run a little late. But the final quarter was slow and he ran to the level of competition. Big Bazinga ran well, but saved ground and never really made a move to get into contention, a more aggressive ride at the half mile pole may have helped.
Tamarando is basically who he is. He is a closer who developed early and won 4 races on All Weather surfaces. His style also allowed him to close in races while not challenging for the win. He also defeated Grade 3 horses on a surface that plays dramatically different from the Turfway surface which has a big amount of kickback. Tamarando had dubious credentials coming in and was a favorite that was very vulnerable in this race. Tamarando best races have been at 7 furlongs and miler, probably best as late running sprinter and miler rather than 9 furlong router.
Moving Forward – We Miss Artie gets the 50 points and will go to Kentucky as a horse with no shot on a fast Churchill Downs surface. This is a poly/turf horse who won in the final stride against Grade 3 competition. Comparing him to any other turf horse who has Grade 1 or Grade 2 class is not a valid comparison. The horses in the Bluegrass will be on a whole new level, proven turf horses and proven poly horses with legitimate breeding.
Almost Famous finally got the trip he wanted, came out of the gate clean and was sitting 2nd for the half mile and then backed up on the turn. The surface may have done him in, but he has not developed since his maiden win and looks more like a Derby Trial horse and Grade 3 horse this summer. Ultimately his pedigree is not suitable for 9 furlongs against G2 competition or better.
Harry’s Holiday may pay a supplemental fee and try to get into the starting gate with 20 points. Possibly training up to Derby or maybe running in Lexington Stakes at Keeneland. He’s just not talented enough to compete with the top talent of Florida, New York, or California.
The Spiral Stakes was the weakest of the 50 point races. Ring Weekend, Intense Holiday, Hoppertunity, Wildcat Red, Tapiture, California Chrome, Strong Mandate, Ride on Curlin would all be favored over We Miss Artie on a fast dirt surface.
Next week the 100 pointers start.