January 2, 2024
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
All Eyes on Me
The aptly named Main Event (11-1) made a triumphant return to the graded stakes level with a tough-nosed victory in the $1 million Fort Lauderdale Stakes (G2T) at Gulfstream this past Saturday.
What at first looked like smooth sailing for the 4-year-old colt ended up being a much tighter finish thanks to a valiant effort from 18-1 challenger Kingmax. It wasn’t enough, however, as Main Event had just enough left in the tank to hold on by a head for the first graded score of his two-year career.
The landmark win pushed the George Weaver disciple’s career line to 5-1-0 through 13 starts. Main Event paid an even $25.
Even Keeled
Full Count Felicia and Irad Ortiz Jr. rode the Gulfstream rail from start to finish en route to a 1 ¾-length victory in Saturday’s $150,000 Suwanee River Stakes (G3T).
The even-money favorite held firm control of the eight-horse field to cap off a strong 2023 campaign with the most impressive win of her 14-start career. The Suwanee score marked Full Count Felicia’s first ever graded conquest and third win in four tries this season. It also served as a tune up for the $500,000 Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G2), set for Jan. 27.
Bettors were rewarded with $4.20 for Full Count Felicia’s breakthrough win.
Angelic Action
Saturday’s running of the Robert J. Frankel Stakes (G3T) closed with the divine duo of Angel Nadeshiko (18-1) and Lakota Spirit (8-5) duking it out for the top spot. Ultimately, it was the longshot who ended up shocking the crowd to take the $100,000 affair.
The 2023 season hadn’t been all that kind to Angel Nadeshiko, who ran to an uninspiring 0-0-1 line in six starts leading up to the Frankel. Luckily, none of that matters now that the 4-year-old put it all together for one perfect trip that resulted in a dynamic graded score.
Steered masterfully around the Santa Anita Turf by rider Antonio Fresu, the career-defining win paid a handsome $39.80.
Delivering the Goods
Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night, etc.
Bold Journey (3-1) can confidently add mud to the postman’s creed after a dominant performance in Saturday’s Gravesend Stakes at Aqueduct.
The 4-year-old colt dazzled the field of six to capture the $150,000 contest by 4 ½ lengths for the second stakes score and seventh win altogether through 20 starts. It’s been a fun few months for the Bill Mott trainee, who’s now rattled off three consecutive wins dating back to early October.
The impressive streak has helped push Bold Journey’s career line to a very respectable 7-6-0 line through 20 attempts, with his latest feat paying $8.10.
Game of Inches
A trio of underdogs put on a show in the $150,000 Queens County Stakes on Sunday afternoon at Aqueduct.
Crupi (6-1), Quality Chic (14-1), and Kinetic Sky (5-1) finished first, second, and third by a neck, nose, and neck, in that order. The last time we saw a race this close Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, and Michael Jordan were all gunning for the NBA MVP trophy in 1990.
Like Johnson, Crupi emerged victorious by the slimmest of margins. The Queens County score was the young colt’s second consecutive stakes triumph and fourth total victory of 2023.
On his own, Crupi paid $14.80 for the win, but a $1 4-8-6 underdog trifecta returned a whopping $437.50.
