HASKELL RESULT: Coil Goes Last-to-First to Deny Shackleford (w/Video)
by Matt Gardner on Aug 1, 2011 12:41 AM EDT
in Stakes Results
Email
PrintPrior to Sunday's Haskell Invitational Stakes at Monmouth Park, Bob Baffert's Coil was somewhat of an unknown contender. He wasn't an unknown as to whether or not he was a quality colt or in the manner that others hadn't heard anything about him. But instead, it was unknown as to how exactly Coil would fare in his first try on a conventional dirt surface after showing significant early speed in his races on synthetics in California. By the finish of the Haskell, the unknown became the known; Coil fared just fine in his first try on dirt, but his win in the Grade 1 Haskell came in a different manner than many would have predicted.
Breaking dead last in the field of eight three-year-old colts, Coil was content to sit well off the early leaders for the first three-quarters of the race, a running style that the Baffert trainee had not displayed in any of his previous lifetime starts. The strategy was a sound one as early leaders Joe Vann and Shackleford carved out solid fractions through the opening six furlongs (47.02, 1:10.68). As the field came off the far turn, Joe Vann threw in the towel and left the Preakness winner in what looked to be a favorable position to pick up his second Grade 1 victory of the year. But Martin Garcia and Coil had more than enough in the tank to wear down his rival in the final furlongs, finishing a neck in front at the wire.
Shackleford was his usual game self in the lane but his early effort proved to be just taxing enough to deny him the victory. Belmont winner Ruler On Ice finished third.
Coil is a three-year-old son of Point Given out of a Theatrical (IRE) mare (Eversmile).
Coil was assigned a preliminary Beyer figure of 96, as was Shackleford.
Result Chart (via DRF.com)
Haskell Fractions:
1/4: 23.38
1/2: 47.02
3/4: 1:10.68
Mile: 1:35.44
Finish: 1:48.20
Haskell Internal Fractions:
1/4: 23.38
1/2: 23.64
3/4: 23.66
Mile: 24.76
Finish: 12.76
Coil Internal Fractions:
1/4: 24.67
1/2: 23.30
3/4: 23.52
Mile: 24.05
Finish: 12.66
4 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Yeah, it looks very open...
and should draw a big field. Shack, Ruler On Ice, Stay Thirsty, Coil…and the usual cast of understudies that all seem to have a shot to win. Could be a very open race.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
It's looks more and more like
Shackleford is this year’s Hard Spun. He just keeps coming in the money. I’m glad I didn’t bet the Haskell though I would’ve never picked Coil personally. I was at the track yesterday though and got my butt kicked pretty good.
I thought Coil might have a chance...
but I certainly didn’t expect him to employ an off-the-pace style in that race. I think that’s the big issue with the surface switching (and I’m sure you see that at Turfway, as well); speed horses on one surface will sometimes become closers or midpack runners on another…or sometimes they run the same style…or don’t run a lick. It’s really hard to know what to expect until they actually do it.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on And Down The Stretch They Come
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
