 | |
Kip Deville outdueled Showing Up to record
his sixth win from seven starts at a mile
(Mathea Kelley/Horsephotos.com) |
KIP DEVILLE (Kipling) had lost to Showing Up (Strategic Mission) both times
they met last year as three-year-olds, but in Friday's $250,000
Maker's
Mark Mile S. (G2) at Keeneland, he turned the tables on the even-money
favorite. While Showing Up was a bit eager in his seasonal reappearance and
dueled for the lead, the race-fit Kip Deville was a model of patience beneath
Edgar Prado in the early going. Kip Deville then moved up to join the top pair, and after a tussle in the stretch, he subdued Showing
Up by a neck at the wire. The Richard Dutrow-trained gray completed the mile on
firm turf in 1:35 2/5 to post his third straight stakes victory. Dispatched as
the 9-2 third choice, Kip Deville paid $11, $3.80 and $3.60."(Dutrow) told
me, 'When the gates open, it's up to you,'" Prado said. "I was able to
settle right behind and bide my time and run down Showing Up at the
end."
Showing Up held the lead as the field passed the stands for the first time.
After floating wide on the clubhouse turn, he surrendered the advantage to Free
Thinking (Unbridled), who slipped through along the rail to take charge through
an opening quarter in :24 3/5. The favorite roared back to press the pacesetter
through a half-mile in :48 3/5, with Kip Deville cruising up alongside. The threesome
matched strides through six furlongs in 1:12. Showing Up never flinched when sandwiched between
rivals, and when it became a two-horse duel through the stretch, he battled on
courageously all the way to the line, but just could not hold off the winner.
The chestnut returned $3.20 and $2.60 for his honorable runner-up effort, ending
the $26.40 exacta.
"There was no speed in the race," Showing Up's rider Cornelio
Velasquez said. "Everyone wanted to take back, and no one went for the
lead. The nine (Kip Deville) wouldn't let up. My horse ran big. He ran
his race."
The 27-1 Purim (Dynaformer) kept on doggedly for third, another half-length
back, to yield $7 and round out the $340.80 trifecta. Bayeux (Red Ransom), the
nearly 3-1 second choice, checked in fourth after being short of room in the
drive, resulting in a 9-8-6-3 superfecta totaling $954.60. Sky Conqueror (Sky
Classic), Remarkable News (Ven) (Chayim), Free Thinking and Storm Caller (Stormy
Atlantic) completed the order of finish. Old Dodge (Brz) (Dodge) was scratched.
|
