December 8, 2024
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Balance Restored
For the people out there who enjoy all things symmetrical, we have another enticing item to share with you.
On Saturday afternoon at Aqueduct, 3-year-old colt Locked captured the $500,000 Cigar Mile (G2) to keep his career in perfect symmetry through six starts.
Thanks to the determined 1 1/2-length score, the Todd Pletcher trainee’s last three starts (third, first, first) now perfectly mimic his first three starts (third, first, first).
Locked has parlayed the impressive stretch into nearly $1 million in purse earnings, and a 4-2-0 record overall.
As the 2-1 choice in the Cigar Mile, Locked paid $6.30.
Hang it on the Wall
Poster and rider Flavien Prat had themselves a banner day on Saturday at Aqueduct.
The rookie and the vet worked in perfect harmony to outduel 9-1 rival Aviator Gui by a nose in a thrilling edition of the $250,000 Remsen (G2).
It was an especially unforgettable moment for Prat, who broke the single season record for stakes wins (80) and tied Hall of Famer Jerry Bailey for the most graded stakes victories in a single campaign (55).
The valiant showing was equally impressive for Poster, as the 2-year-old colt secured his first career graded title while remaining perfect to begin his career (3-0-0).
At 9-2, the dynamic duo paid a cool $11.60.
How’s that?
If anyone needed to see Muhimma perform at the graded ranks to believe that she is the real deal, then consider your wish granted.
After claiming her first two career dashes by a combined 13 lengths, the 2-year-old filly delivered with a gate-to-wire triumph in Saturday afternoon’s $250,000 Demoiselle (G2) at Aqueduct.
Under the steady hand of veteran rider Florent Geroux, Muhimma was calm and in control throughout the 1 1/8-mile dirt affair.
While she never truly pulled away from the pack at any point (largest lead of 1 ½-lengths), the Brad Cox charge traversed the track like a seasoned pro.
The textbook effort paid a modest $2.80.
1-2 Punch
Saturday’s $200,000 Starlet (G2) at Los Alamitos may have featured a field of seven, but in reality, it was a two-horse tilt between Look Forward and Tenma.
Starting side-by-side in posts four and five, respectively, the fervent fillies ran neck and neck for the lion’s share of the 1 1/16-mile contest.
That changed, however, when Tenma and rider Juan Hernandez executed a perfectly timed push to pull away in the latter stages for a 1 ¾-length clearance.
The Starlet represents Tenma’s second career graded stakes score (Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante) and third overall through four lifetime starts (3-0-1).
At 5-2, Tenma paid an even $7.
Man on Fire
Nine challengers could not contain Get Smokin on Saturday at Woodbine.
Making his 32nd career start in the $135,000 Valedictory (G3), the Sahin Civaci mount shot out to an early lead and showed zero interest in letting it go en route to a smooth 3 ¾-length decision.
The 7-year-old gelding has built quite an impressive resume over his five-plus years on the North American circuit.
In that time, Get Smokin has compiled an 8-7-2 line with five graded stakes trophies and more than $2.1 million in purse earnings.
As the third choice in the Valedictory, Get Smokin (5-1) paid $12.10 for the win.
