Quick lives up to her name in Astra at Santa Anita
Umberto Rispoli of Italy riding Rulership (Centre red) competes before winning the 2012 Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup horse race at the Sha Tin racecourse in Hong Kong on April 29, 2012.
Midway between a four-day suspension, Umberto Rispoli just rode one horse at Santa Anita, but it was a real catch. Giving a much-needed extra last gasp punch to 9-5 Quick, Umberto held Hermaphrodite (Joel Rosario 4-5), by a nose, donning Hronis Racing, LLC and John Sadler, a one-two finish in the marathon Grade 3, $100,000 Astra Stakes.
Umberto was eligible to compete during his time-off, as it is a designated race by the California Racing Board. Quick completed 1.5 miles in 2:27:1/10, which is very fast considering the up-hill start.
Quick was sitting pretty behind Aunt Lubie and Carpe Vinum, before releasing the accelerator at a momentus rhythm.
Hermaphrodite could not find a gap, but when she did, that nose made a huge difference. Quick, a 5-year-old mare by Olympic Glory, broke through the starting gate prior to lift-off, but remained firm favorite in a field of nine older fillies and mares. Altea (Abel Cedillo 4-1), pitched for third.
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Thankful (Kendrick Carmouche 4-6), from Bass Stables, passed Miss Marissa late in the lane to capture Sunday's $100,000 Ladies Handicap at Aqueduct. Conditioned by Todd Pletcher, Thankful settled in second position as Miss Marissa (Jose Lezcano 5-4) certainly dictated a good pace. Smooth with a Kick and Ujjayi then began their challenge, but to no avail. Miss Marissa fought back for second behind Thankful, Ujjayi and Lucky Move filled other spots.
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The Killiney Novice Chase was merited beforehand as being a Box office attraction, especially for Envoi Allen's reputation, while carrying 11lb's more than Asterion Forlonge. Unfortunately, that wave of thought went awry when Asterion Forlonge (Danny Mullins 11-9), said goonight at the very first fence. Gordon Elliot's, Envoi Allen (Jack Kennedy 4-6), had the race to himself, stretching an unbeaten record to 11.
Regarded as a bullet-proofer, Bookies are now offering nothing odds for the Marsh Chase. Files D'oudaires (Donagh Mayler 25-1), and, Dinny Lacey (Robbie Power 50-1), rallied behind for places over the 2.4 miler, stamped at 5:36:3/10 - really slow.
Asterion Forlonge and Danny Mullins, both escaped their fall, unharmed.
