Printer Friendly Page 

March captures Bay Shore over troubled-trip Lord Nelson

The wire came just in time for March to hold off Lord Nelson and take the Bay Shore (Jessie Holmes/EquiSport Photo) Robert LaPenta's March (Blame) rallied last-to-first in Saturday's $300,000 Bay Shore (G3) at Aqueduct, recording his first stakes victory after surviving a stewards' inquiry into an eventful stretch run. Lord Nelson (Pulpit) wound up a tough-luck second, closing furiously to miss by a half-length after a ridiculously wide trip from the far turn to the wire. Irad Ortiz Jr. was up on the Chad Brown-trained winner. Making his second stakes attempt, March surged past four rivals to strike the front inside the eighth-pole but made slight contact with Ready for Rye (City Zip), who drifted inward resulting in a chain reaction of bumping, and March drifted out slightly into the path of the fast-charging Lord Nelson in the latter stages. The stewards took a look at both incidents but ruled no cause for disqualification. Unraced since finishing fifth in his stakes debut, the February 7 Withers (G3), March paid $21.20 to win as the 9-1 fourth choice among eight three-year-olds.

The dark bay colt was making his fourth career start, finishing second first-time out on November 29 before breaking his maiden over the inner track on January 11, and increased his earnings to $237,500 from a 4-2-1-0 scorecard.

Longshot Papa Upa (Katharos) showed the way early, establishing splits in :23 and :46 3/5 as March trailed down the backstretch, five lengths back with three-eighths of a mile remaining. The winner unleashed his move entering the stretch drive and completed seven furlongs in 1:24 3/5 on the fast track.

Lord Nelson, the 2-1 second choice, broke slowly and rushed up the inside in traffic before putting on the brakes, reportedly resenting the kickback as he dropped back to the rear of the field. He was angled extremely wide through the bend and looked hopelessly beaten while turning for home in the middle of the track, threatening to finish last. But Lord Nelson suddenly discovered his best stride after straightening into the stretch, offering an eye-catching closing kick to just miss on the wire.

It was another 4 1/4 lengths back to 6-5 favorite Ready in Rye in third.

Bred in Kentucky by Lakland Farm, March sold for $320,000 as a weanling at the 2012 Keeneland November sale. He's out of Lifeinthefastlane (Unbridled's Song), making him a half-brother to 2010 Bay Shore winner Eightyfiveinafifty (Forest Camp).

Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com

More Graded Recaps:

Bradester takes flight in Salvator Mile

Dogwood Trail leads to Azalea winner's circle

Grand Bili captures Carry Back

Big Blue Kitten regains United Nations title

Merry Meadow crowned in Princess Rooney

Send this article to a friend