Race Recaps Kirby’s Penny Makes the Grade in G3 Vagrancy Handicap May 12, 2018 Race Recaps Kirby’s Penny Makes the Grade in G3 Vagrancy Handicap May 12, 2018 By: Curtis "Magic" Kalleward twitteremail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article ELMONT, NY – Kent Spellman’s Kirby’s Penny stalked the early leaders before pouncing in mid-stretch and drawing off in her stakes debut to take Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Vagrancy Handicap at Belmont Park. Breaking from post 2 under John Velazquez, Kirby’s Penny sat in mid-pack early while Sounds Delicious posted initial splits of :22.20 and :45.12. Midway through the far turn, Chalon challenged and then overtook Sounds Delicious, with Kirby’s Penny following close behind. Hitting the front stretch, Velazquez angled Kirby’s Penny out into the clear, then commenced a rally to wrangle and eventually overtake Chalon. Taking command in the final 1/16 of a mile, the Wesley Ward trainee kicked strongly through the wire to win by 1 1/2 lengths in a final time of 1:16.42 for the 6 1/2-furlong sprint over a main track rated good. “I went to go and get good position,” said Velazquez. “When the other one (Chalon) went and put the other horse on the lead, it was perfect because it let somebody else put the fight on the horse in front, so we went to the outside, and she did it all after that.” Chalon held on to take second, 3 1/4 lengths ahead of the 7/5 favorite Holiday Disguise. Sounds Delicious faded to finish fourth ahead of Swing and Sway and Ascertain to complete the order of finish. Kirby’s Penny returned to the winner’s circle for the second time in as many starts this year after taking an allowance event at Keeneland in her 2018 debut on April 4. The 5-year-old daughter of Macho Uno improved her overall record to 12-7-2-0 with career earnings of $338,916. The late-blooming mare has now won four times (with two seconds) in six starts since Ward claimed her for $40,000 on April 19, 2017, and will likely take a break before returning in the summer to prepare for a fall championship run. “Ultimately, what we’ll try to do is try to get her in the (Breeders’ Cup) Filly & Mare Sprint in the fall at Churchill,” Ward said. “She’ll probably get a race in Saratoga, and sometimes it rains a lot there, so hopefully we’ll get lucky again, and then in the fall at Keeneland. It gets a little rainy there, too. That’s the key is she loves an off going.” Kirby’s Penny returned $16.20 to win, $6.60 to place, and $3.20 to show. Chalon brought back $4.60 to place and $3 to show, while Holiday Disguise paid $2.30 to show.
Kentucky Derby Prep Results [Louisiana Derby & Jeff Ruby Steaks] | The Magic Mike Show 536 The Magic Mike Show guys discuss what they learned from… Read More
2024 Louisiana Derby and Jeff Ruby Steaks Previews and Rapid-Fire Picks | Blinkers Off 658 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for the $1… Read More
Bayou Bluegrass Pick 5 [Fair Grounds & Turfway Park] | The Magic Mike Show 535 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
2024 Kentucky Derby Championship Series Look Ahead | Blinkers Off 657 The Racing Dudes take a look ahead at the upcoming… Read More
March Madness BRACKET Breakdown | Dudes Who Bet Sports 185 Aaron and Papa Dude give their break down of each… Read More
How We CASHED BIG On Louisiana Derby Day | Racing Dudes Betting Bible Update Aaron reviews the recent Racing Dudes Betting Bible to explain… Read More
How Jared SCORED BIG On Louisiana Derby Day | Racing Dudes Betting Bible Update Jared reviews the recent Racing Dudes Betting Bible to explain… Read More
Florida Derby 2024 | Gulfstream Park Picks [Kentucky Derby] Aaron previews the 2024 Florida Derby (G1) from Gulfstream Park,… Read More
Arkansas Derby 2024 | Oaklawn Park Picks [Kentucky Derby] Aaron previews the 2024 Arkansas Derby (G1) from Oaklawn Park,… Read More
UAE Derby 2024 | Meydan Dubai Picks [Kentucky Derby] New York-bred Pandagate worked five-eighths in 1:03.20 Sunday in company… Read More