The last race on the Equinics card, the final event in
a daylong battle between some of the best horses
around. A dozen mares from a dozen tracks stepped
onto the track for the $1,000,000 Hephaestus Olympic
Stakes, to race nine furlongs on the Vermont grass in
search of that elusive disc of gold. The audience
watched quietly as they warmed up.entered the gate.and
broke cleanly away.Second choice Gins Under
Slobs, her glossy chestnut coat visible again now
that the masking black dye had been removed - and a
pox on goingtowin for confusing me like that! -
leaped immediately to front, hoping to take the race
wire to wire. A.P. Swamp settled in a length
and a quarter behind her, while the rest of the field
sat well back, waiting. By the second call, 'Gin had
rolled out to a two-and-a-half-length lead and showed
no signs of slowing down. Longshot June Crab
and Turfstar's honest Virgin Kelly matched
strides five lengths back, while Seriously
Double, sent off as the top choice, rated kindly
just behind Jawing For Groom.
'Gin was still
running strongly on top as they turned for home, but
'Kelly and jockey K. Mitz had something to say about
that. The Turfstar mare kicked into gear and zeroed
in on the chestnut, closing hard. The champion,
'Double, was moving as well, no longer content to stay
out of trouble in mid-pack. 'Gin's rallied gamely,
but couldn't keep contact with 'Kelly, and that mare
galloped under the wire alone, two and a half lengths
ahead of the pace-setter. A steady effort from
Seriously Double saved a medal spot, while June Crab
and novanora's Dynaform Theater stepped
up for smaller checks. Vermont's Huge
Slide(Ire) managed a mild rally and picked up a
few places late, edging the tiring A.P. Swamp.
Three-year-old Five Star Bungee never really
got into the race and loped home a quarter length
ahead of Jawing For Groom. Likewise Seattle From
Ports. Fleet Discover(Ire) was within
striking distance early on but couldn't
stick.
Six-year-old gold medallist Virgin Kelly is
owned and trained by roelke stables and races
for Turfstar (Longchamp). A dark bay daughter of
Nureyev out of a Sunny Clime mare, she has notched six
wins in nineteen starts and banked over $1,700,000.
She recorded a 108 speed rating for this victory,
covering the nine furlong course in 1:48 4/5.
Virgin
Kelly paid $15.10 for the win, with the exacta
returning $52.70 and the trifecta, $137.90.