NEW ORLEANS, LA – Gaining Ground Racing’s Factor This went to the front out of the gate and never looked back, taking the field gate to wire in Saturday’s $150,000 Fair Grounds Stakes (G3).
Breaking from post 4 under Shaun Bridgmohan at 8/1, Factor This took command and crossed over safely to save ground heading into the clubhouse turn. With Spectacular Gem tracking closely, Factor This posted opening fractions of :23.57, :48.25, and 1:11.76.
Set down for the drive as he straightened for home, Factor This began pulling away near the 3/16 pole. A late run from the 7/5 favorite Synchrony proved too little, too late, as the pacesetter crossed a length the best at the wire.
Trained by Brad Cox, Factor This completed the 1 1/8-mile event over the firm turf course in a final time of 1:47.29.
“Some of the key scratches really helped us out today and Shaun did a great job with this horse,” Cox said. “He was able to let him relax down the backside which was key. You could see him flick his ears up and really settle down and he had plenty left in the tank turning for home.”
Synchrony’s wide bid off of the far turn put him 4 1/2 lengths ahead of Botswana, who made a failed attempt in the far turn and weakened in the stretch, eventually finishing third over Midnight Tea Time by a head. Dontblamerocket, Honovi, Tone Broke, Spectacular Gem, and Space Mountain completed the order of finish.
Tragedy struck inside the 5/8 marker when Classic Covey went wrong and fell. Wound Tight, Captivating Moon (who finished fourth in the Mineshaft Stakes [G3] one race prior), Sailing Solo, and The Great Day were all scratched.
Factor This’ win was his first since taking the Kentucky Downs Preview Turf Cup Stakes at Ellis Park last August. The 5-year-old gelded son of The Factor, claimed for $62,500 on August 8, 2018, improved his record to 27-8-3-4 with $545,030 earned.
“We were much more confident today as opposed to last time out,” Cox said. “We’re really happy and proud of this horse.”
Factor This returned $18.80 to win, $7.60 to place, and $5.60 to show. Synchrony brought back $3.60 to place and $3.20 to show, while Botswana paid $11.40 to show.
