Michael Dubb and Gandharvi’s Battle Bling Wired under Kendrick Carmouche to score her first ranked win in Turnback the Alarm Stakes (G3) on November 4, a nine-point route for bitches from 3 years of age or older, at Aqueduct race track.
Coached by Rob Atras, Battle Bling made his third appearance in the ranked team after finishing fourth in La Troienne Stakes presented by Signify Health (G1) in May at Churchill Downs and a runner-up attempt in the Delaware Handicap (G2) in July at its eponymous track. Daughter of Vancouver has a flawless record in the money at Aqueduct, now 5-2-3-0 after her breathless win.
Atras, who scored the fourth goal of her career, said: “She is remarkable. “It’s great to have such a dirty person in the barn, who always shows up. I’m so grateful.”
Battle Bling, sent from the outermost column 5 with odds of 9-5, broke the best match in the field of compact as Strange West jumped up and naked racer Mike Luzzi from the inside. Battle Bling was undeterred by the uproar and quickly established command over its three opponents through a quarter-mile opening in: 25.80 on the fast main track.
WW Fitzy closely watched from second to second return to favorites after time First action along the track in the third place and driven by Hector Diaz, Jr. recall brought back over half a mile in: 50.75. Battle Bling remained in command when it was his turn when WW Fitzy retreated with Nostalgic doing a strong run in third.
Battle Bling finished 3/4 in 1:15.74 and was clearly 3 1/2 lengths on extended call, but Nostalgic made it up to every stride and chink on her opponent’s side when both two far ahead of a win-win First action. Battle Bling had enough left in the tank to withstand Nostalgic’s outside bids, breaking through the first siege in a final time of 1:53.60.
That’s another 13 3/4 lengths back to First to Act with WW Fitzy completing the finish order. Exotic West, who have been protected by those at the top, and Luzzi walk under their own power. Eclipse combined and Trainer scratched.
Battle Bling enters an alarming Reverse Spin from a standout win in Monday 1st Bets at Laurel Park and a handicap win in September at Colony Downs in a similar style, a change from her previous distinct style. Carmouche said being arranged in advance helped the 4-year-old boy be more obedient.
“They came, but they came too late,” Carmouche said. “She ran great. I tried to pull the trigger a little early in the fourth column because I wanted to get rid of them.
“I don’t want her stalking me. Rob and Brittney (Atras, assistant trainer) have this horse right. I’m glad Mike Dubb and Rob let me do what I wanted with her and ride her. The way I want her to. The last few times, closer to speed, she’s been more productive.”
Battle Bling stretched sixteen more times since her last two outings, and Atras said he knew the distance would be tough.
“I see 1:15 and it looks like she’s leaving for a bit, but I can see four (Nostalgic) coming,” Atras said. “I know it’s not over because a mile and an eighth is still a mile and an eighth and the Aqueduct can be a grueling track.”
Battle Bling has proven to be a shrewd statement to her relationships, coming in first or second of all but one of her nine has since been split in half for $62,500 in a second ending in an option claimant in December at Big A.
Her form includes an ancient win first Miss Leslie in Ladies Stakes in both her staking debut and the first time she started claiming, as well as finishing runner-up in the Heavenly Prize Invitational Stakes, Top Flight Invitational Stakes and Obeah Stakes, all of which whose failure rate is three-quarters length or less.
Raised in Kentucky by Royal Oak Farm, Battle Bling took her $82,500 win to bring her total purse income to $618,117 through a 6-8-1 record from the 21st start. She returned $5.80 on a $2 winning bet.
Diaz, Jr., who is driving a Grade 1 Nostalgic for the first time, says his dirtiness is game failure.
“She’s the best horse and she runs great,” said Diaz, Jr. speak. “We just had the bad luck that no one was putting pressure on the horse in front — she was just walking and she still nearly knocked her over. A jump behind the rope I was in front. I pleased with her efforts. She runs well.”
This press release has been edited for content and style by the BloodHorse Staff.
