Track running slow at present
KINGSTON, Jamaica – THE QUICK GALLOPER continues to closely watch the progress of the three-year-olds as the Hotline Stakes (fillies only) and the Sir Howard Stakes (colts and geldings only), both run over six furlongs, for non-winners of two horses are set to be contested in the next two weeks. These are the first two major prep races for the three-year-old cohort as they march towards the Classics.
There were two races for the three-year-olds on the day, one a maiden and the other a non-winners of two.
SCOOBY
This three-year-old bay colt by Casual Trick out of Royal Dutch duly obliged at a mile albeit against a moderate field of six rivals. Ridden by Dane Nelson for the first occasion, Scooby left behind his old habit of veering wide in the straight, staying this time on the inside rails to win by 2 ¾ lengths in a final time of 1:144.1.
The time was slow, but it has to be taken into consideration that the race track over the last two or three race days has been particularly slow.
Based on a quick assessment, the track is approximately a second or about 1.1 seconds slower than usual. Yet, even with the slowness of the track taken into consideration, Scooby has shown a likeness for the longer distances after finishing second on debut at a mile, third (when going wide) travelling seven furlongs, and a mile when releasing the maiden tag. The longer races to come might be where he will show even greater improvement and have a say.
Finishing behind Scooby were Howilookin and Slam. Both these horses raced way behind Scooby and Devonte, but were seen making some noticeable headway in the straight.
They should be watched closely when next out, especially in races seven furlongs and longer.
OUTBIDDER
The natural progression of this well-bred filly by Savoy Stomp out of Rumble continued with a dominating performance at the three-year-old non-winners of two-level. With Anthony Thomas in the saddle (switch from Jerome Innis), for trainer Jason DaCosta, Outbidder won by 8 ½ lengths in a time of 1:28.3 going seven furlongs. Again, the slowness of the race track has to be taken into consideration when looking at the final clocking.
The manner in which Outbidder won points to the development of his filly as after tracking stablemate and foreigner Luksol (Jerome Innis), she picked up her gallop with three furlongs left in the contest and then opened up in the straight before being cuddled by Thomas in the last half-a-furlong.
Outbidder now joins a select few of her fellow three-year-olds, who have won two races or more thus far in their careers.
Champion two-year-old of 2021, Golden Wattle (not raced at three as yet) is the only one of the lot with three wins. Then we have Outbidder, Brinks (not raced at three as yet), Deezi, and Atomica, who have won two races each.
For sure, interesting days are ahead.
