Louis Lazzinnaro’s Strange West handled by Javier Castellano patiently, with no late responsibility for Battle Bling to win $100,000 in Top Flight Invitation Shares, a nine-step test for older mares and dogs on April 10 at Aqueduct race track.
4 year old kid Spin hard filly was cross-entered in an April 7 grant at the Big A, but coach Gary Sciacca credited his owner with his decision to seize the opportunity in the black category.
“I said to Louis, ‘If we can put her stake and do well here, she’ll be worth a lot. She’s Hard Spun’s and well bred, so let’s snap here,” said Sciacca.
Girl beauty set tempo, mark subdivisions: 24.55, :49.51 and 1:13.92 through six stretches on the fast main track with Frost Point pressure supply from the save ground in second and Exotic West in third.
Castellano angled Exotic West outside for the run and overcame his forerunners to take command at the eighth pole as the late-running Battle Bling, led by Trevor McCarthy, dashed to the tracks to warm up. their campaign. Exotic West remained firm and stopped the Battle Bling for a three-quarter point win in a final time of 1:50.13.
Battle Bling finished exactly 3 1/4 the length of Frost Point with Ice Princess and the Maiden Beauty rounded off the finish line.
Castellano, who guided Exotic West to an allowable Big A in December, said he feels confident the entire time.
“I had a nice post today and I used it to my advantage and got behind the horse,” said Castellano. “When I thought it was time to go, I stepped outside. I rode my bike with a lot of patience. I’ve ridden the dirty dog before and know what she’s like. It’s just a field of five horses. and you have to ride with a lot of patience and confidence; I think that paid off.”
Battle Bling, a 6-5 favorite, entered the Aqueduct in strong form, including winning the Ladies Stakes in January and a second-place run to Sting’s Bank last in the 6th of March Shares Invitation of the Heaven Prize.
McCarthy said he tried to conserve as many horses as possible for the long run.
“She ran an eighth of a mile, three sixteenths of a mile,” said McCarthy. “I’m just being patient. I don’t want her to swing her arms wide for five or six minutes. I just want to make sure I have a lot of horses. When she shot inside she gave me a very good kick, but she stalled when I needed her the most. I think it was a good effort.”
The win marks the first deposit win for Exotic West. Raised in Kentucky by Gary and Mary West Stables, Exotic West raked in a $55,000 win while improving her record to 5-3-2 from 15 starts. Sent to the post as the longest hit on the board at 10-1 odds, Exotic West returned $23.40 on a $2 winning ticket.
Video: Beaumont S. Presented by Keeneland Select (G3)
