Maiden Optional Claiming

Chart notes

ANDTHEOSCARGOESTO moved up between runners pressing the issue two wide on the first of two turns, hounded the pacesetter outside going neck and neck along the backstretch, seized command outside at the five sixteenths pole, shifted to the two path increasing the advantage turning for home, had to be kept busy on the rail in the final furlong having to fend off the resurgent early leader who was gaining outside again nearing the wire and in the end just held on for the win. MISTER DUDE was away very alertly having the lead on the rail, had company outside contesting the pace down the back straight, relinquished the front end inside at the five sixteenths pole, skimmed the fence with the winner opening up at the top of the lane but determinedly fought back shifting outside to the two path in the final furlong and showed some gumption coming back on again in the final sixteenth to make it interesting late but just falling short at the finish line. FORESTERS LASTLOVE travelled three wide on the outside in the front mix, dropped back to watch the engaged duo while outside another at the half, chased the pacesetter three in tandem with an inside rival at the quarter pole, shifted to the four path very much in the hunt in upper stretch but could only run on evenly in the final furlong being a clear third when crossing the finish line. MUY GRACIAS settled on the inside paired up in midfield at the beginning, remained on the rail keeping a close eye on the lead twosome down the backside, was hard ridden on the fence just trying to keep up to the lead trio by the quarter pole, scraped paint taking the corner and finished up mildly to be a fringe player in the end. PADDY HOLIDAY had the two path outside another in mid-division, was in a good spot down the backside isolated still in the middle of the pack behind the engaged pair at the half, offered a mild turn of foot going three wide around foes on the second bend, angled to the five path in with a chance for a piece of the prize outside at the head of the lane but flattened out at the sixteenth pole losing the duel for the minors between horses. RAGING TIMBER brushed the outside part of the gate on the break, was eager veering out four wide on the first turn carrying out a runner, became very rank grabbing onto the bit at the three quarters marker having to be steadied, improved to midfield by the half, opted to wait behind runners at the five sixteenths pole, swung out widest to the six path straightening out for home and could not get into gear actually having to be checked again outside in deep stretch. MYSTIC PATH was off a step slow being at the rear three wide on the first turn, passed an inside foe entering the backstretch, offered little movement through the far turn, shifted to the four path for the drive to the wire but could only manage to pass a leg weary rival in the stretch running. PROUDLY CANADIAN was bumped out five wide by the inside foe on the initial bend while being close to the back end, made no progression along the backside as well as throughout the last turn even though under a busy ride by the quarter pole and came up empty in the three path for the stretch drive. RURAL ROOTS had the fence position ahead of only one runner in the beginning, could see the field by the midway point of the backside, lagged well behind runners on the far turn and lost touch with the group at the top of the stretch, cantering home.