ICYMI: Class Efforts Serve Favorites and Underdogs well over a Busy Stakes Weekend

TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon

What a Rush

While Saturday’s Blame (G3) didn’t end up being the highly anticipated duel between Tapit Trice and Highland Falls that we were hoping for, the $275,000 affair was well worth the price of admission at Churchill Downs.

The unfortunate scratch of Tapit Trice paved what was supposed to be a clear path to the winner’s circle for Highland Falls. Although that’s where the 4-year-old colt landed, it was not without a scare from 7-1 challenger Cagliostro, who held a two-length lead deep into the stretch.

Highland Falls and veteran rider Florent Geroux ultimately found a seam and were able to slide past for the hard-fought score.

The first graded stakes victory in the Brad Cox trainee’s third attempt at the level paid a modest $3.90.

Break the Spell

None of the past matters for 5-year-old Happy Jack, who finally prevailed in a graded stakes engagement with a decisive 4 ½-length conquest in this past Saturday’s $200,000 Triple Bend (G2) at Santa Anita.

It took until the seventh attempt, but the veteran runner can now add ‘Graded Stakes Winner’ to his resume.

A textbook cruise from jockey Edwin Maldonado had Happy Jack in a prime position from the get-go. The pair confidently led a lighter four-horse field from gate-to-wire, only getting stronger as the race went on.

The breakthrough effort improved the Doug O’Neill charge’s career line to 3-2-3 through 13 starts. Those who predicted the seventh time would be the charm were rewarded with a $7.80 return on a $2 wager.

Warming Up

It took a few tough misses and a string of four straight seconds, but Pin Up Betty is now the winner of two in a row thanks to a determined performance in Saturday’s $275,000 Regret (G3T).

Competing within the familiar confines of Churchill Downs (site of four of her eight career appearances coming in), the 3-year-old filly was overlooked on the closing line, sporting the fourth-highest odds in the seven-horse field.

But as we knew coming in and were reminded of, once again, odds aren’t everything. The 6-1 Pin Up Betty benefitted from a perfectly-timed charge by rider Luis Saez to steer clear of 2-1 Buchu by 1 ½ lengths.

The stellar showing resulted in a handsome $15.30 payout.

I’ll Make it

Palazzi (6-1) and jockey Sahin Civaci took an ‘it’s better late than never’ approach into Saturday’s $175,000 Eclipse (G2) at Woodbine, and the decision paid dividends.

Running from the third post position, Palazzi spent most of the 1 1/16-mile contest stuck at the very back of the seven-horse pack. It was not until the stretch approached that the 6-year-old gelding began operating with an increased sense of urgency, but as we said before, it’s better late than never.

A lane switch to the outside gave Palazzi just enough runway to steal the Eclipse from closing line favorite Tyson (2-1) and last year’s King’s Plate winner Paramount Prince (9-2).

The stress-filled romp was quickly calmed thanks to a cool $15.10 payout.

Not so Fast

The $250,000 Mint Julep at Churchill Downs was on upset watch for quite some time as 18-1 dart throw Safeen appeared to have taken control of the 1 1/16-mile affair.

Unfortunately, for fans of underdogs, the 4-year-old filly was eventually usurped by closing favourite Delahaye (1-1), who stole the Mint Julep by a fair 1 ¾-length margin.

Sunday’s triumph is the first of the graded variety for Delahaye, who ran to third last time out in the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2T) on May 4.

With the late-game score, the Tyler Gaffalione mount has now hit the podium in all six starts to date (4-1-1).

The comeback clincher paid $4.36.