Race Recaps Temple Tackles Gio Ponti November 29, 2019 NYRA / Chelsea Durand Race Recaps Temple Tackles Gio Ponti November 29, 2019 By: Curtis "Magic" Kalleward twitteremail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article SOUTH OZONE PARK, NY – Trainer Mike Maker’s faith in Temple paid dividends on Friday when the former claimer held off Kadar by a nose at the wire to tackle the $150,000 Gio Ponti Stakes at Aqueduct. ( Content Continues Below Ad ) Breaking from post 8 at 8/1 odds under Jorge Vargas, Jr., Temple was able to clear enough to run two-wide through the clubhouse turn in second. Just ahead, Backtohisroots posted opening fractions of :24.95 and :49.96 while Temple applied pressure down the backstretch. Midway through the far turn, Temple advanced alongside the early leader and began pulling away. Despite tough efforts from Forty Under to his inside and Kadar and Halladay on the outside, Temple proved too tough. Crossing the wire a nose in front, Temple completed the 1 1/16-mile event over the good outer turf course in 1:44.32 for co-owners Paradise Farms Corp. and Mad Dog Racing Stable. “I was very happy where I was early on,” said Vargas, Jr. “He was doing things so easy. (Backtohisroots) was going so slow; he was drifting in and out. Mid-turn, I asked my horse a little bit and he jumped on it right away. I was pretty comfortable going in. Mid-stretch, he wanted to hang on me a little bit, but the wire came just in time.” Kadar outkicked the 7/5 favorite Halladay for second by 3/4 of a length, while Forty Under’s failed bid led to him finishing fourth. Proliferate necked out Pioneer Man for fifth, while behind them came Osage Moon and a spent Backtohisroots to complete the order of finish. Chilly in Charge was a trainer scratch, while En Wye Cee and Majid were main track only entries. Temple’s win was his first since Maker claimed him for $35,000 on July 28 at Gulfstream Park and improved his record to 13-4-2-2 with $208,970 earned. The 3-year-old gelded son of Temple City went from the claiming ranks to finish third in the Exacta Systems Dueling Grounds Derby and sixth in the Qatar Twilight Derby (G2) before his Gio Ponti victory. Temple returned $18.20 to win, $6.50 to place, and $3.30 to show. Kadar brought back $5.10 to place and $3.10 to show, while Halladay paid $2.30 to show.
Kentucky Downs and Del Mar Picks & Previews | Blinkers Off 683 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for this weekend’s… Read More
Kentucky Downs Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 565 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
College Football Picks & NFL Tips | Dudes Who Bet Sports 205 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More
Pacific Classic 2024 Picks and Rapid-Fire | Blinkers Off 682 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for Saturday’s $1… Read More
Del Mar Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 564 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Kentucky Downs Picks | Turf Sprint Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint] Aaron previews the 2024 Turf Sprint Stakes (G2) at Kentucky… Read More
Kentucky Downs FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Kentucky Downs on September… Read More
Del Mar FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club… Read More
Kentucky Downs Exacta Picks & Plays | Turf Cup Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf] Dr. Miranda gives her exacta picks & plays from the… Read More
Rocket Picks 🚀: Del Mar, Kentucky Downs, & Gulfstream Park for September 7, 2024 Let’s kick off another big day of horse racing with… Read More