News Practical Joke Nails Syndergaard at Wire to Win G1 Champagne October 8, 2016 News Practical Joke Nails Syndergaard at Wire to Win G1 Champagne October 8, 2016 By: Jared Welch twitterfacebooklinkedinemail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article ELMONT, N.Y. – Klaravich Stables and William Lawrence’s Practical Joke was all business as rain began to fall Saturday afternoon at Belmont Park, getting his nose down at the wire to upset 9-5 favorite Syndergaard with a neck victory in the 145th running of the Grade 1, $500,000 Champagne for 2-year-olds. Trained by Chad Brown, Practical Joke broke awkwardly and trailed in the field of six as Syndergaard zipped through an opening quarter-mile in 22.74 seconds and a half in 44.63 with Big Gray Rocket nipping at his heels. Under Joel Rosario, Practical Joke quickly regrouped and steadily picked off rivals as the field moved through the turn. Cutting the corner into the stretch, the Into Mischief colt angled to the outside of Syndergaard and latched on to the leader at the eighth pole, outdueling his rival just in time to extend his undefeated record to three. Sent off at 5-2, the winner returned $7.90 for a $2 win wager. The final time for a mile over a fast track was 1:34.68. “He kind of broke awkward on the inside and I had to use him a little through the chute,” said Rosario. “He was looking around and it took him a little time to get back in the race but he was fine after that. They were going really fast up front but it looks like the more distance he gets to run into the better he gets. For a second when I got to the other horse [Syndergaard] he waited a little bit. He’s still a young horse if anything but looks good going forward.” The Champagne was the second Grade 1 victory in as many starts for Practical Joke, who won the Grade 1 Hopeful by a neck on September 5 at Saratoga Race Course. With the $300,000 winner’s share of the purse, the $240,000 2-year-old-in-training purchase has increased his lifetime earnings to $559,800. As part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” series, Practical Joke has punched his ticket with an all-fees-paid berth into the $2 million Sentient Jet Juvenile on November 5 at Santa Anita Park. Favorable Outcome, also trained by Brown, finished third. Big Gray Rocket, Thirst for Victory and Lookin At Blessing completed the order of finish. “Joel quickly moved inside of horses, which I thought was smart, and set himself up for a clear run when he tipped him out,” said Brown. “They were obviously going very fast in front, not only the two leaders, but my other horse [Favorable Outcome] in close pursuit behind, so the race set up beautifully for this horse. He’s undefeated, he’s a really good horse. He’s handled the distance increases every time we’ve asked him to, and we’re looking forward to getting to run him a little bit further. The runner-up is a very good horse as well, and deserves a lot of credit for fighting as well as he did.” NYRA
2024 Kentucky Derby Horse Profiles – How Each Horse Can Win | Blinkers Off 662 The Racing Dudes take a look at the contenders of… Read More
Keeneland Pick 5 | The Magic Mike Show 542 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
NBA & NHL Playoff Previews & Picks | Dudes Who Bet Sports 188 Aaron and Papa Dude discuss OJ Simpson, UConn’s national championship… Read More
2024 Kentucky Derby Top 10 & Rapid-Fire Picks | Blinkers Off 661 The Racing Dudes reveal their Top 10 Kentucky Derby prospects… Read More
Keeneland Pick 5 [Lexington Stakes Day] | The Magic Mike Show 541 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Federico Tesio Stakes 2024 | Laurel Park Picks [Preakness Stakes] Having rediscovered his stakes-winning form in dramatic fashion last month… Read More
2024 Kentucky Derby Horse Profiles – How Each Horse Can Win | Blinkers Off 662 The Racing Dudes take a look at the contenders of… Read More
Keeneland Pick 5 | The Magic Mike Show 542 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Ben Ali Stakes 2024 | Keeneland Picks Spendthrift Farm’s Kingsbarns, winner of the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2)… Read More
Elkhorn Stakes 2024 | Keeneland Picks Bold Act (IRE) and Silver Knott (GB), two overseas invaders… Read More