The race was a six furlong allowance race on the main track. Fabulous Strike was the odds-on favorite at 0.80-1. It was his first start since finishing second in the 2009 Vosburgh Stakes (gr. I).
Under Dana Whitney, Fabulous Strike broke well and had the lead after an opening quarter mile in :22.08. Second choice Peppi Knows was sitting in second, while longshot Drake Passage was racing along in third.
The pace continued to stay hot through a half-mile in :44.58, after which Fabulous Strike began to pull away. He hit the wire victorious; two lengths clear of Peppi Knows. The final time over a sloppy track was 1:09.53.
Congratulations, Fabulous Strike! To read a more detailed recap of the race, please refer to the link below:
On April 2nd at Golden Gate Fields, another VOTTC member, Awesome Gem, made his first start since finishing seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Marathon last year at Churchill Downs. The race was a one-mile turf allowance race, in which Awesome Gem was the third choice at 5.40-1.
The gelding sat last in the early going, behind a moderate early pace set by second choice Hudson Landing. He showed no speed for much of the race, but began to rally on the far turn. However, there was no catching Hudson Landing, who kicked away in the stretch to win by a length. Awesome Gem closed well, but was forced to settle for third, beaten 2 ½ lengths. Still, he closed his final eighth in about twelve seconds and it was a good performance for his first start of the year.
However, the race was marred by the death of favored Meteore, who broke down on the first turn and was euthanized. He was a courageous horse, who always gave his best. He will be missed.
Various Birthdays
I would like to take a moment to wish a happy birthday to a quartet of our VOTTC members, all of whom celebrated birthdays over the last week.
· Happy birthday to Dubious Miss, who turned seven years old on April 3rd! A graded stakes winner, he won the 2010 Ben Ali Stakes (gr. III) and has placed in a variety of other stakes events.
· Happy birthday to our newest member Fabulous Strike, who turned eight years old on April 4th! Apparently, he decided to celebrate this memorable occasion by returning to the races. . . :)
· Furthest Land had a birthday recently too! The late-running gelding, who turned six on April 9th, won the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I) in a shocking upset. Happy birthday, Furthest Land! Relive his remarkable victory by watching the replay! Here’s the link: http://www.breederscup.com/greatestmoments.aspx?year=2009&divisionname=dirtmile
· Last but not least, happy birthday to Silver Timber! The marvelous turf sprinter, who has twice won the grade III Woodford Stakes, turned eight years old on April 9th. Thus, he shares a birthday with Furthest Land. The Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (gr. II) later this year may be in this guy’s future!
-Keelerman
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