Race Recaps Backyard Heaven Blooms in G2 Alysheba May 4, 2018 Race Recaps Backyard Heaven Blooms in G2 Alysheba May 4, 2018 By: Curtis "Magic" Kalleward twitteremail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article LOUISVILLE, KY – Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s late-blooming Backyard Heaven continued his hot streak on Friday, drawing away convincingly in his stakes debut to take the Grade 2, $400,000 Alysheba Stakes presented by Sentient Jet at Churchill Downs. Breaking cleanly from post 4 under Irad Ortiz, Jr., Backyard Heaven closely attended the early pace set by the favored Always Dreaming (last year’s Kentucky Derby victor) through fast fractions of :23.86 and :46.79. Taking command with less than a 1/2-mile remaining, Backyard Heaven disposed of his foe and ran off down the stretch, hitting the wire 4 1/2 lengths in front of Hawaakom in a final time of 1:41.73. “He did everything easy,” said Ortiz, Jr. “He broke and put me in a good position to go from there. Past the 1/2-mile pole, I started to let him do his thing. He picked it up, and when I asked him, he took off. He’s a nice horse.” Good Samaritan spent the entire race in third, a position that didn’t change by the time he crossed the finish line. Hoppertunity couldn’t overcome a troubled early trip and took fourth. Always Dreaming faded to fifth, a nose past Giuseppe the Great, with Hence completing the order of finish. Awesome Slew scratched in favor of running in Saturday’s Grade 2 Churchill Downs Stakes. Credit: Coady Photography Backyard Heaven’s win was his third straight and improved his record to 4-3-1-0 with career earnings of $334,240. The 4-year-old son of Tizway didn’t debut for trainer Chad Brown until last September, when he ran a good second at Belmont Park. “He was training very, very well,” Brown said. “I have to give my assistant Whit Beckman credit, as he’s had him all winter up there. He’s done a fabulous job with this horse. We momentarily thought about running him at Charles Town for a lot more money, but we thought he would need just a little more time, and I really wanted the opportunity to bring a horse down here for the Ramseys. They’ve been so helpful to my career. My very first winner was here at Churchill Downs for them.” Backyard Heaven returned $6.40 to win, $4 to place, and $3 to show. Hawaakom brought back $13.20 to place and $5.20 to show, while Good Samaritan paid $2.80 to show.
Jim Dandy 2024 Picks and Rapid-Fire | Blinkers Off 677 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for Saturday’s $500,000… Read More
Del Mar Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 559 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Saratoga Saturday Pick 5 Preview | Dudes Who Bet Sports 200 Aaron & Papa Dude preview Saturday’s Late Pick 5 from… Read More
Del Mar Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 558 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Haskell Stakes 2024 Picks and Rapid-Fire | Blinkers Off 676 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for Saturday’s $1… Read More
Jim Dandy Stakes 2024 Betting Bible | Get Saratoga Picks NOW! Get the 2024 Jim Dandy Stakes Betting Bible, featuring our EXACT race-by-race… Read More
Jim Dandy 2024 Picks and Rapid-Fire | Blinkers Off 677 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for Saturday’s $500,000… Read More
Del Mar Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 559 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Horse Racing BEST BETS: Saratoga July 27-28, 2024 Vinny from Real Dynasty Picks gives his horse racing best… Read More
Saratoga Exacta Picks & Plays | Jim Dandy Stakes 2024 Dr. Miranda gives her Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) exacta picks… Read More