A slew of stakes races took place over the weekend from Florida, to New York, to California. Three of which had elusive Kentucky Derby points on the line, with ten going to the winner. Many of the three-year-olds stood out in their respective races, but no one stood out quite as much as Audible.
Audible romping in the Holy Bull Stakes, Coglianese Photo
The grade 2, $350,000 Holy Bull Stakes was Audible's first dive into graded stakes company. It was a lofty challenge, considering the depth of the field. There was the regally bred Enticed, winner of the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at age two. There were horses like grade 1 winner, Free Drop Billy, and the highly regarded colt, Tiz Mischief, just to name a few of the salty competitors. But Audible was not afraid. He loaded into the starting gates, unabashed, ready to show the world exactly what he was made of.
Audible ran near the pace when the race began, never letting the long shot leaders out of his sight. When the far turn loomed ahead, Audible jumped up to snatch the lead. But the race wasn't won yet. Free Drop Billy came storming up to put up a fight. Audible took one look at his tenacious rival, and that's all it took. Challenge accepted.
Free Drop Billy and Audible raced side by side as they made their mad dash around the final turn. Free Drop Billy was running his heart out, but Audible wasn't giving an inch. He made sure that he stayed one step ahead of his foe, and shut down every punch that he threw at him. Audible had every move that Free Drop Billy made measured, and began toying with him as the made their way into the stretch. The instant they straightened out, Audible found another gear and blasted off. With an astonishing burst of speed, Audible opened up on Free Drop Billy. He blazed down the stretch in effortless style, leaving everyone far behind as he romped to glory by almost six lengths. The other horses didn't stand a chance against this powerful performance, and could only watch as Audible disappeared from sight.
Audible ran away from all who challenged, Coglianese Photo
The breakout performance that Audible delivered in the Holy Bull has stamped him as a definite contender to watch for the Kentucky Derby. This bay son of Into Mischief has shown signs of promise all along, having won his last three races in a row. The only loss that this plucky colt has suffered was a third place finish in his debut at the age of two. With all of his wins coming by daylight, it shows that this is a colt that clearly loves to run and possesses the coveted ability to find the extra gears needed to keep on going. He has been far too talented to let any of his rivals get near him in the stretch, suggesting that he always has some extra energy in the tank.
Another eye-catching performance came in the grade 3, Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita. This time it was Lombo who took center stage, and he did it at odds of 8-1. When the starting gates exploded open, Lombo was quick to get to work. He hustled right out of the gate, shot to the lead, and refused to stop for anyone. He rolled over the track with a field on talented runners hot on his trail. But he wasn't going to let them catch him.
Lombo roared into the stretch, still swinging. The other horses were scrambling to make up ground, but Lombo stubbornly repelled each and every challenge that the others tossed his way. He had already made it this far, and he was determined to finish the job. With determination and grit, Lombo dug in and kicked for home. The big, dark horse strode home by two convincing lengths, finishing the race the way he had started it: in front.
Lombo didn't look like he would amount to much when he made his debut back in November of 2017. He ran a disappointing seventh. However, one race alone doesn't define a career, and Lombo got right back to work and began figuring things out. In his next start, he improved to run a solid third. After that, he picked up his first win in a maiden race at Santa Anita. That race was used as a stepping stone to greater things, because from there, he went on to become a graded stakes winner, and now has ten points toward the Kentucky Derby.
The excitement didn't end in Florida or California. New York had its own Kentucky Derby prep race at Aqueduct. Just like the Holy Bull and the Robert B. Lewis, the grade 3, Withers Stakes offered ten points to whoever crossed the finish line first.
A small field lined up to clash in the Withers Stakes and when the gates sprung open, the longest shot in the field, Coltandmississippi, marched up to grab the early lead. Avery Island was content to sit off of him and let him do all the dirty work. He would just relax and wait for his moment to pounce.
When the field began to approach the final turn, Avery Island made his move. With uncanny ease, the strapping bay colt cruised up to steal the lead away from Coltandmississippi, rushing by him as if he were standing still. Avery Island began to lengthen his stride, soaring ahead to a comfortable lead. He was in total control as he waltzed his way to the wire. He shut down a gutsy challenge from the talented colt, Firenze Fire, and sailed over the wire by two impressive lengths.
To say that Avery Island won easily would be an understatement. He won the race with such grace that it looked like he was out for a simple stroll through the park. The confident son of Street Sense couldn't have looked any better with his stylish win, and this wasn't the first time he dazzled in his races. After a seventh place finish in his debut, he went on to claim two victories in a row, including the grade 2, Nashua Stakes. That was followed up by a game second in the grade 2, Remsen Stakes, before going on to add the Withers Stakes as his own. This beautifully bred colt has been a model of consistency, and he has the class and confidence to carry his talent further.
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