Tale of Ekati wins Cigar Mile on a DQ. November 30th, 2008
Tale of Ekati won the $300,000 Cigar Mile on a disqualification Saturday at Aqueduct.
Harlem Rocker was first under the wire, a nose in front of Tale of Ekati.
The result was reversed, with Harlem Rocker dropped into the place spot following a stewards inquiry.
In midstretch, Harlem Rocker surged to the lead and appeared on his way to the victory before ducking sharply to his left, into the path of Tale of Ekati on the rail. Edgar Prado had to snatch up Tale of Ekati, losing momentum before angling outside for a determined late run at Harlem Rocker.
It was the fourth stakes victory for Tale of Ekati, all in New York. His richest victory came in the $750,000 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct in April, the win the propelled him into the Triple Crown where he ran fourth in the Kentucky Derby and sixth in the Belmont Stakes while sitting out the Preakness.
The 3-year-old improved his overall record to 5-for-12 for trainer Barclay Tagg, earning $180,000 for owner and breeder Charles Fipke who named the colt for a diamond mine in Canada.
Sometimes it happens for me, sometimes it happens for them, Tagg said of the disqualification.
Todd Pletcher, trainer of Harlem Rocker, disagreed with the stewards decision.
Tale of Ekati had every opportunity to go by our horse, Pletcher said. And, in my opinion, he was never going by. Its a tough call in a Grade 1 stakes.
Pletcher said he would consult with owner Frank Stronach about a possible appeal.
The time was 1:35.01 on the fast track. Tale of Ekati paid $19.80, $9.40 and $5.90. Harlem Rocker returned $9.20 and $6.30. Bribon paid $7.10 to show.
Arson Squad was fourth followed by Kodiak Kowboy, Storm Play, Monterey Jazz and Visionaire. Wanderin Boy was pulled up turning for home.
The supporting events were a pair of 2-year-old stakes, each worth $200,000 at 1 1-8 miles, that produced dominant victories.
Springside rallied to win the Demoiselle for fillies by 9 1/2 lengths while Old Fashioned set all the fractions in the Remsen, drawing away to a 7-length win.
The joy of victory in the Demoiselle was short lived as Springside was injured just past the finish line. Jockey Garrett Gomez quickly pulled up Springside and she was vanned off the track for x-rays
Dr. Anthony Verderosa, chief examining veterinarian for the New York Racing Association, said Springside appeared to fracture the right-front pastern.
It is not a simple fracture, but the pastern is intact, Verderosa said. She will be sent on Sunday morning to the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicines New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, Pa., the same facility that treated Barbaro following his injury in the 2006 Preakness
When she was galloping out, I heard a pop, Gomez said. She never indicated that anything was wrong. Hopefully, I got her stopped in time.
Springside paid $13.20 to win with Boleyn second and Sky Diva, the 1-5 favorite, a tiring third after closely tracking the pace set by Aint Love Grand.
In the Remsen, unbeaten Old Fashioned sprang right to the lead and rolled to easy win with Ramon Dominguez aboard for trainer Larry Jones.
Once he made the lead, I took a peek back, hit him one time and he took off, Dominguez said. It was pretty impressive.
Old Fashioned, making his stakes debut, extended the winning streak to three in a race with possible Triple Crown implications next spring. The winner of the Remsen in three of the last four years made it to the Kentucky Derby.
The 3-5 favorite, Old Fashioned paid $3.50 to win. Atomic Rain was second with American Dance third.