Optional Claiming

Chart notes

SIESTA BEACH tracked between rivals in the three path down the backside, was reined back to let the outside runner press for the lead at the three furlong marker, urged to for more midpoint on the turn, quickly picked up the bit, pounced three wide at the top of the lane and drew away with authority in the final furlong. THAT GIRL ARTEMUS co-trailed outside at the half mile marker, began to pick up runners extended her stride three furlongs from the wire, closed in smartly at the quarter pole, was in the hunt in the seven path turning for home and ran on to the finish to be a clear second best when all was done. VANDOO was in a good spot, all alone, sitting behind the contesting foursome at the half, settled nicely on the fence running through the turn watching the duel up front, was in range on the inside at the top of the lane, angled outside in the four path with run at the furlong marker and closed in to capture third at the wire. CLASSY IMAGE cleared to the lead getting to the rail along the backstretch, was pressured outside throughout the turn, fought on gamely inside in upper stretch, was no match for the winner at the furlong pole giving way and finished up to hold for a minor placing in the end. CANTUCCI stalked outside in midfield with four furlongs remaining, was gaining steadily outside on foes through the turn, had a chance for a piece of the prize six wide for the stretch drive and finished mildly to the wire to be on the fringes. CHASING BOURBON was away slowly at the start, then was rushed up under a ride for better position down the backside on the rail, shifted outside midway on the turn making little impact and could not reach contention through the stretch. VALLEY VICTORY prompted the pace outside down the back straight, could not keep with others dueling for the lead running between horses three eighths to go and weakened with runners on either side in mid-stretch. MEKO MAKEE tracked four wide on the outside in the beginning, was urged to force the issue up front on the outside three furlongs from home, battled on the turn briefly getting the lead, gave way between rivals in upper stretch and stopped in the final sixteenth. NATURAL STAR co-trailed on the inside down the backstretch, was roused for more run at the three eighths marker, lost touch with the field running through the turn and had little to give in the drive to the wire.