Claiming

Chart notes

GRAND ILLUSION hustled away from the gate to get a forward position, tracked just behind ALL ABOUT TONITE through the first half-mile while pulling well clear of the rest of the field, moved up to challenge with three furlongs to run, dueled through the rest of the turn into the stretch, gained command before mid-stretch, went clear of the rest, then held safe under steady handling to the finish. CANYON STREAK was content to settle in the back half of the field, made an extended run from the far turn, carried the bid through the stretch, and bested the rest for second, while no threat to the winner. NEW YEAR SURPRISE settled well off the early pace through the early stages, then started a sustained run after passing the half-mile pole, loomed in upper stretch, then flattened out a bit late and was outfinished for second. CANYON SHADOWS raced well back four-wide through the first half, then launched a bid on the far turn, was never a serious threat to win, but finished with some interest and improved. ALL ABOUT TONITE seized the early lead, then was left to dictate the fractions with only GRAND ILLUSION putting on any pressure, hooked up with that one to duel through the turn, then weakened in upper stretch. TIE BREAKER LENNIE broke off balance, then lost the path and steadied at the start, trailed early, advanced steadily starting from the backstretch run, was always four to five wide, kept to task, and split the field. SHARP STICK settled in the middle of the strung-out field, made a mild move late on the turn but was unable to sustain the bid. PAPA'S NICO BOY chased the runaway pacesetter in third position to the far turn, then faded. STORM'S REFLECTION unhurried from the start, saved ground to no avail. HAY MOON was caught four-wide into the first turn, tracked to the outside down the backstretch, started to lose ground on the far turn and was not a factor in the late stages. CRECENCIO raced mid-pack for a half-mile, then steadily retreated to the back and had nothing to offer in the late stages.