Starter Optional Claiming

Chart notes

MAD DOG N JOE assumed a clear lead, emerging from the pack up top at the five-furlong pole, continued to move well setting the pace with no pressure around the turn, was coaxed for more run holding onto the lead in the four path in upper stretch and was set down with an eighth to run to stubbornly prevail, fending off all comers at the wire. SMALL TALK tracked between horses in the three-path down the backside, was on heels in tight behind the leader at the five-furlong pole, angled to the rail finally settling down behind the pacesetter through out the turn, shifted out five wide at the top of the stretch to be in the hunt up front, moved inwards under a drive to the rail by the furlong pole but could only chase the winner in vain to the wire. EXECUTIVE SEARCH tracked four deep outside a rival down the backside, pursued the frontrunning winner outside around the turn, bid for the lead in the six-path at the quarter pole, could not threaten the leader down the stretch then lost the battle for the runners up share late. JAMIESTA trailed on the fence down the backside, still could see the field but was starting to rally around the turn, swung out widest for clear run ten wide for the drive and had a solid late kick to close in for a minor role while not beaten all that far for higher placings in the end. SALVATOR MUNDI travelled in mid-division between foes down the backstretch, kept pace with the leaders while on the rail throughout the turn, angled to the seven path at the top of the lane and finished up willingly, gaining on the leaders late but could not threaten at the finish line. JIMMIES BIG DAY travelled in midfield three deep down the back straight, improved to track the lead trio around the turn, shifted out to the six-path straightening out for the drive, was in range for a piece of the prize three wide by the furlong marker but flattened out in deep stretch. PROVEN STRATEGIES settled inside rivals in mid-pack down the backside, made a brief run commencing at the three-furlong pole while three wide, was fanned out eight wide by the quarter pole, could not continue on with others and wilted at the furlong marker. SWAGGISH settled on the rail just behind the winner down the backstretch, was steadied sharply at the five-furlong pole to be shuffled back many lengths to be near the back of the pack, saved ground through the turn and had no finish to offer while travelling on the rail in the stretch. SOUPER RIVER was near the rear between runners in the early going, made little progression three wide outside foes around the bend, angled to the six-path turning for home but failed to fire down the lane. BLAME J D stalked three wide near the rear along the backside, made no impression with rivals on both sides while running in the two-path throughout the turn and failed to menace in the stretch drive. RIDERS CLAIM OF FOUL #1 SWAGGISH AGAINST #6 SMALL TALK AND STEWARDS INQUIRY AT THE FIVE FURLONG POLE RESULTED IN #6 SMALL TALK BEING DISQUALIFIED AND PLACED LAST FOR INTERFERENCE