Dear Readers,
Back to the 2013 Breeders’ Cup “Win and
You’re In” Challenge Series, and first up the Bing Crosby Stakes run at six
furlongs over the synthetic surface at Del Mar Racetrack in California. Six horses lined
up in the gate on July 28th to vie for a share of the $300,000
purse, and at the wire two horses were clearly the best.
This
race reminded me of Rocky Balboa vs. Apollo Creed. Points Offthebench, the four-year-old
who had been running in Allowance Optional Claiming races, and had never run in
a stakes race before the Bing Crosby, let alone a graded stakes race. Versus
Goldencents, the three-year-old who
had never run in anything less than a graded stakes race since he broke his
maiden as a two-year-old.
Goldencents really did look golden
after winning the Santa Anita Derby, and before going onto compete in the 139th
running of the Kentucky Derby. The Derby conditions were so wet it appeared
more like an equine version of a Mud Bowl, and Goldencents finished in seventeenth position out of the nineteen
horse field.
The
field in the Bing Crosby broke well and the speed lined up across the track,
eating up most of the ground saving positions. Points Offthebench was kept off the speed and to the outside, while
Goldencents was caught inside a
pretty tight box, and being checked frequently by his rider Kevin Krigger, to
keep him off the heels of the horse in front of him.
When Points Offthebench was unleashed by his
rider, Mike Smith, circling four wide, he looked impressive, like a rat in a
barrel. However I was surprised at how green this horse appeared coming out of
the turn. He didn’t want to change leads, he was lugging in and he required a
lot of guidance by Smith.
Goldencents still stalled behind
horses, was waiting for an opening. When Kevin was presented with a little
daylight towards the inside, and astride a horse full of run, he had little more
than a moment to decide. Lucky for him he chose to go to the outside, because
that hole closed up tight when Point
Offthebench filled it.
Once
these two horses were clear, the gloves came off, and both jockeys earned their
money. It was a great race. I was mesmerized as they pounded to the wire, both
riders trying everything to get one more ounce of try from their respective mounts.
If you have time, check out the video replay on line, it’s very exciting.
So—Rocky won. Points Offthebench is now a Gr. I
stakes winner, what a high for his connections. Goldencents with his versatility will probably go on to run longer distances
again, and I would be surprised if we saw a rematch between these two. But this
meeting was fun.
Benoit Photo - Note Points Offthebench's tongue flapping in the wind.
Take care,
Shelley
Riley
Author of
Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure
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