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.