Claiming

Chart notes

RESERVE PROOF hopped at the start and was off a step slow, rushed up to join the early pace battle, got to a stalking position just behind FANTASTIC DREAM, found the pace too slow and took command passing the eleven-sixteenths pole, held the field at bay through the far turn while always traveling well, opened up when roused at the top of the stretch and was ridden out as much the best. TALISKER BAY got caught three wide going into the first turn, settled at the rear of the tracking group, advanced with a mild three-wide move through the turn, swung four to five wide into the stretch, responded to steady handling in the drive, was no match for the winner in the late stages and was best of the rest. LOVE OF THE SPORT got a good break from the gate but was not asked for speed, tracked the dueling leaders along the rail to then made an early challenge passing the half-mile pole, came under a ride from the five-sixteenths and bid for the lead at the top of the stretch, could not keep pace with the top pair past the furlong marker and just held for third at the finish. BALLROOM PRINCE allowed to settle mid-pack through the early running, made steady forward progress down the backstretch while staying in the clear, got up close to the leaders then launched a three wide bid from the three furlong pole, weakened in the stretch and lost a tight battle for third. FANTASTIC DREAM broke sharply and was sent to the front with RESERVE PROOF in close pursuit, was overtaken by that rival mid-way down the backstretch then began to lose ground from the half-mile pole, went into a drive with three furlongs to run, angled widest into the stretch and could not muster a late response. WINTER SOLDIER unhurried in the early stages, lagged at the rear of the field through the early stages, kept to the inside through the far turn and did not threaten.