Claiming

Chart notes

DESIGNATED HITTER pressed the pace outside in the beginning, assumed command at the three-furlong pole, opened up quickly while still in hand by midturn, was roused in the stretch just to keep his mind on business down the stretch and won comfortably when crossing the finish line. STAR SCHOLAR travelled in mid-pack between horses down the backstretch, improved three wide outside rivals with three furlongs remaining, was encouraged right-handed in upper stretch, made some gain on the winner down the lane but finished up a non-threatening second in the end. ETHNIC SOUL bobbled and broke out on the start, stalked on the fence in the third tier along the backside, edged closer on the turn when coaxed at the three- eighths marker, burst up the fence making a good move going by runners at the quarter pole and closer in the lane to capture third money. SNOOKERED had a good tracking spot nestled on the rail behind the front duo down the back straight, was stuck briefly behind a tiring foe at the three-furlong pole, shifted out, off the stopping rival midway on the turn, battled outside for third money in the drive but had to settle for a minor role in the end. DEFOGGER was in the tracking, second group outside, watching the lead pair down the backstretch, was urged three wide chasing the winner around the bend, could not continue the rally and weakened inside foes at the furlong pole. DIXIE'S FLATTER co-trailed on the outside with a mile left to run, travelled four wide outside foes on the turn making little ground up on rivals, angled out to the seven-path for the drive but could not reach contention in the drive to the wire. MANETKA co-trailed on the inside by the half, offered a mild turn of foot in the two path at the three-furlong pole through to be six wide turning for home but had no more to give in stretch drive. BENLION was checked at the start, stalked three deep in the third flight down the backside, travelled three to six wide throughout the turn making little progress and could not factor in the stretch running. GOOD SOLDIER was nudged along in the backstretch to have a slim lead on the fence down the backstretch, backed away sharply on the fence through the turn and had no more to give by upper stretch.