Starter Optional Claiming

Chart notes

COURAGEOUSLY settled at the rear of the field well off the pace, started a forward move before the halfway point, got an inside run through the far turn, waited for some room at the top of the stretch, then finished up well to outback BATTLE SCARS in the late stages. BATTLE SCARS settled in a stalking position behind HEXCEL, those two went well clear of the rest through the first half-mile, took command near the quarter pole and led into the stretch, had a challenge from the inside in COURAGEOUSLY and outside in HE GOTS TO GO, was able hold off the later but was outfinished by the inside rival in the final yards. HE GOTS TO GO went directly to the rail after the break, then was content to settle at the back with a couple of rivals, was still in last on the far turn, then swung four wide into the stretch, ran on well under intermittent urging, closed the margin on the leader but could not get by. MR. FAVERSHAM setted right between the front and back groups through the early stages, made a three-wide bid on the far turn, and finished with good interest but was not quite good enough. HEXCEL assumed the early lead into the first turn, then set moderate splits while behind shadowed by BATTLE SCARS, had no response when that foe quickened away at the quarter pole and went evenly in the stretch. BLUE BOON settled three wide near the back, bid four wide on the last turn but was outkicked to the wire.