Post by Ripley on Apr 14, 2015 9:29:20 GMT -5
Spotlight Pride to Miss P.C. Stakes
Spotlight Pride got the trip he needed to get for the Kentucky Open. He'd settled beautifully despite pressure from Devil's Flair, showing how far he has come from two to three. Yet, Reese said the colt was never moving right despite the perfect trip. "He felt like he wasn't getting over the ground the same. He has this real efficient stride that glides over the ground. He stumbled out of the gate, but he's so quick he got right up there. He's a fast horse and he's brave. After that though, Pride wasn't running the same."
Spotlight Pride was beaten by Pandora and juvenile nemesis Take Flight to the wire at Green Horse Fields. After ten grueling furlongs of inefficient striding, his company was able to get the better of him. Pulling up, he was off on his left front and was bleeding pretty badly.
Ripley reported it was just a grabbed quarter and that the colt will get a break until June. "He's going to be running for a while. No sense in rushing him back and we've got our eyes on the Green Mile Series for him where he really excels."
Vagabond, winner of the Silk Road Stakes and an undercard race at Battlestone Downs, will take Spotlight Pride's place in the Preakness Champion Stakes and then the Belmont Turf Classic. He's riding on a wave of confidence and could be a fresh enemy for the tired Kentucky Open runners.
Nocturnal Runaway will go to the Cotillion Stakes next after a troubled trip in the Debutante. "She came out of the race well and frustrated. She's made of tough stock and I have confidence that she will perform better. She may not have the glistening record and pedigree the winner had, but she's got toughness and she's more than capable of being the dark horse."
