2008 Manhattan Handicap and Just a Game Stakes Results
Date: 06/07/2008
Of the three Triple Crown races, the undercard of the Belmont Stakes has the most prestigious races on its undercard. This year, the 94,476 on hand were treated to 5 graded stakes which preceded the main event. Three were Grade 1 events, including both turf races.
Immediately before the Belmont Stakes, a field of 12 older horses went to post in the $400,000 Woodford Reserve Manhattan Handicap (G1), a 1 1/4 mile trip over the inner turf course. Out of Control, second in the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic at Churchill Downs, was sent off as the lukewarm 3-1 favorite. Mervin Muniz Jr. Handicap winner Proudinsky was the 4-1 second choice over 9-2 Dancing Forever, winner of the Elkhorn last time out.
Down the stretch with Dancing Forever on the inside and Out of Control on the outside.
As expected, Shake The Bank, coupled in the wagering with Better Talk Now at 8-1, was rushed to the front to set an honest pace for his stablemate. He was allowed an uncontested lead of as many as 4 lengths while setting fractions of 24.11, 47.94, 1:11.43, and 1:35.38 over the firm course. 14-1 Stalingrad stalked him in second while favorite Out of Control sat in sixth down the backstretch. Shake the Bank stubbornly held the lead to the 1/8 pole but tired soon after. Dancing Forever, who raced back in 10th early, favorite Out of Control, and 11-1 shot Pays to dream, ninth early, all rallied strongly to pass tiring horses. Dancing Forever on the inside prevailed by a nose over Out of Control, who was just a half length ahead of Pays to Dream in a blanket finish.
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
10 Dancing Forever Douglas 10.40 4.70 4.00
5 Out of Control Gomez 4.20 3.40
8 Pays to Dream Prado 6.70
Winning Time: 1:59.62
$2 Exacta 10-5 40.80
$2 Trifecta 10-5-8 382.00
Left: Dancing Forever in the winner's circle. Winning trainer Shug McGaughey said, "He's one of those horses that just came around. He's a great big horse. Everything is getting better for him. I thought he would have a big chance. When he ran second to Einstein at Gulfstream at equal weights at 37-1, that showed me something. He'll either go in the Man o'War or the Sword Dancer."
Dancing Forever heads out of the paddock for the track. Winning jockey Rene Douglas said, "I got along with this horse. I guess it's a good match. I know he's been getting better in each of his races. I was a little bit scared of being outside. Coming into the first turn I didn't want to be racing wide. So, I immediately went to the rail and took my time with him. Turning for home, we saw an open spot and he took off."
Left: Second place finisher and beaten favorite Out of Control returns after the race. His jockey Garrett Gomez said, "It's a shame he got beat. He ran a really good race, and he is a tough beat. I'm glad to see him rebound (from his loss to Einstein in the Turf Classic) and run a really good race."
Right: Third place finisher Pays to Dream in the post parade.
The 11-1 shot was well off the pace for the first 7 furlongs under new jockey Edgar Prado, came out 7 wide for the drive, and closed with a rush, just missing the win. The David Donk trainee improved his record to 5 wins, 1 second, and 4 thirds in 15 starts, earning $377,741 for owner-breeder December Hill Farm.
Down the stretch with Ventura leading the way.
The $400,000 Just A Game Stakes (G1) featured a field of 10 older fillies and mares going 1 mile on the Widener turf course. Lady of Venice, second in the Jenny Wiley at Keeneland in April last time out, was sent off as the 2-1 favorite over 5-2 Vacare, unraced since winning the First Lady at Keeneland in October. 5-1 Criminologist, winner of the Beaugay at Aqueduct, rounded out the top three on the toteboard.
9-1 Bayou's Lassie was allowed an uncontested lead of as many as 2 lengths while setting a pace of 23.52, 46.55, and 1:09.68 over the firm going, while 21-1 Sharp Susan stalked her in second. Entering the stretch, 10-1 Ventura, who sat in midpack fourth down the backstretch, moved up along the hedge to challenge for the lead as the pacesetters tired. Ventura took over the lead with a furlong remaining, and was all out to hold off the late closing favorite Lady of Venice in the final strides to prevail by 3/4 length in 1:32.75. It was another 3/4 length back to 44-1 longest shot Forever Together third.
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
4 Ventura Gomez 21.20 7.90 5.80
1 Lady of Venice Prado 4.30 3.30
6 Forever Together Dominguez 11.20
Winning Time: 1:32.75
$2 Exacta 4-1 94.00
$2 Trifecta 4-1-6 2,308.00
$2 Superfecta 4-1-6-7 28,908.00
Left: Ventura takes her walk down Victory Lane to the winner's circle. Winning trainer Bobby Frankel said, "I thought the one-turn mile would help her. I think the way the course was soft the last time, they stayed in the same spot all the way around. Next? Maybe the Cash Call (Mile, at Hollywood)"
Right: Ventura circles after the race. Winning jockey Garrett Gomez said, "The other day (May 3 at Churchill Downs) it was like a marsh. Today, she was in a good spot and when I pointed her, she came home really good."
Left: Second place finisher and beaten favorite Lady of Venice returns after the race. Her trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said, "She ran very well. You like them on the turf, but you have to work out a good trip. A nice filly won it. Lady of Venice is a Grade 1 filly; we just have to get lucky and win it. Next, she will go in either the Cash Call (at Hollywood) or the Diana (at Saratoga)."
Right: Third place finisher Forever Together in the post parade. The 44-1 longest shot raced at the back of the field for the first 3/4 mile under new jockey Ramon Dominguez, then had to check on the turn to avoid traffic, but rallied strongly through the final 3/16 mile to get up for third. The Jonathan Sheppard trainee improved her record to 4 wins, 1 second, and 2 thirds in 10 starts, earning $275,300 for owner Augustin Stables.
Triple Crown quick links:
Oxbow upsets in the Preakness - Oxbow led the entire way in the Preakness Stakes (G1) on Saturday at Pimlico with Itsmyluckyday second and Mylute third. Heavy favorite Orb made a mild move to finish fourth. Get the results, charts, and photos here.
Preakness undercard stakes results - There were 7 other stakes on the card, highlighted by the Dixie Stakes (G2) won by Skyring and the Allaire DuPont Distaff Stakes (G3) won by Summer Applause. Get the results, charts, and photos for 6 of the races here.
Fiftyshadesofhay wins the Black-Eyed Susan - Fiftyshadesofhay just got up to win the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) on Friday at Pimlico by a neck over Marathon Lady with favorite Emollient 6th. On the undercard, Last Gunfighter won the Pimlico Special (G3). Get the results, charts, and photos here.
Analyzing the Preakness Stakes Contenders for 2013 - My annual analysis using popular angles and statistical trends to see who best matches the profile of a Preakness winner. The big surprise is that Kentucky Derby winner Orb is not in the top group!
Orb wins the Kentucky Derby - Orb was far back early but took the lead in the stretch and drew off to win the Kentucky Derby (G1) by 2 1/2 lengths over longshot Golden Soul and Revolutionary. Get the results, charts, and photos here.
More Kentucky Derby Photos - More photos from the day including more of Orb, the trophy, the roses, Martina McBride, and lots of mud.
Kentucky Derby undercard stakes results - There were 5 other stakes on Derby day including the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1) won by 2012 Horse of the Year Wise Dan and the Humana Distaff Stakes (G1) won by Aubby K. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 5 races here.
Princess of Sylmar upsets in the Kentucky Oaks - She rallied from far back to win the Kentucky Oaks by a half length over Beholder and Unlimited Budget, while favorite Dreaming of Julia was fourth. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
Kentucky Oaks undercard stakes results - There were 5 other stakes on Oaks day including the La Troienne Stakes (G2) won by Authenticity and the Alysheba Stakes (G3) won by Take Charge Indy. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 5 races here.
Wednesday Kentucky Derby Workout Photos - Photos and comments for 18 Derby horses, everyone on the grounds except the one in quarantine, and 6 Oaks fillies from this morning on the track.
Kentucky Oaks Entries - A field of 11 fillies will go, with Gulfstream Oaks winner Dreaming of Julia favorite at 3-1 from post 8. Get the post positions, odds, and free past performances here.
Top Kentucky Derby Contenders - my list of the top horses headed to the Derby with profiles for each with photos, stats, and link to more info like past performances and pedigree.
Analyzing the top 2013 Kentucky Derby contenders - My annual analysis of the top contenders to try and select a winner by matching each to the profile of a Kentucky Derby winner using many of the more popular angles and statistical trends. This year there were is a 3-way tie for the top spot: Goldencents, Normandy Invasion, and Overanalyze.
2013 Kentucky Derby And Oaks Security - New enhanced stricter rules will be enforced this year. Be sure to read the rules as many have changed and more things are banned. There will still be magnetic wand searches of all patrons and many things are no longer allowed. Check here to make sure you don't bring anything they will confiscate.
Review: Triple Crown Handicapper 2013 - by Jim Mazur. Includes lots of stats for all 3 races and explains how to use a system of statistically derived negative angles to eliminate the "bad" picks.
Review: Kentucky Derby Greatest Moments - Commemorative DVD from Churchill Downs with video from 27 different runnings along with interviews, photos, and historical info. Definitely recommended for any racing fan!
Review: Churchill Downs - America's Most Historic Racetrack by Kimberly Gatto. An entertaining and informative account of the history of the track and it's most famous race, the Kentucky Derby, with lots of photos. Definitely recommended.
