Starter Optional Claiming

Chart notes

HAP HOT broke well but settled behind the early pace battle, was sent forward four wide through the turn, bid five wide into the stretch and powered clear despite racing on the left lead. MALIBU S S was allowed to settle behind the field and lagged through the early stages, was still well behind going into the turn, the took an inside path through the turn, tipped out to the three path and finished full of run to gain second. BLOCKED raced at the forefront of the scramble for the early lead, went three wide in hand through the turn, went a bit flat in the stretch but was kept to task and saved the show money. CHIEF BRADY made the front without too much effort, had two rivals pressing the issue on the turn but went clear passing he quarter pole, was overtaken by the winner mid-stretch and weakened in the final furlong. SPEIGHT AND MALICE allowed to settle well off the pace, launched a bid with three furlongs to run, went three wide through the turn then six wide into the stretch and finished with good energy while never a serious threat. BANDERA AZTECA broke well and was up with the early leaders to the turn, was asked to quicken passing the five-sixteenths pole but was outkicked in the stretch. NORTHVALE ROAD raced inside while attempting to press the early pace, struggled to keep up after passing the five-sixteenths pole and tired in the stretch. PLAYING HARDBALL broke well and was up with the leaders early, had to be hard ridden to keep up heading into the turn but dropped back on the turn and was not a factor in the late stages.