Awesome Gem shimmers through the tracks of Longacres Mile, setting a new record
The Thoroughbred proved to be head on with the second best local star contestant of the event, Noosa Beach for the Longacres Mile Handicap (Grade Three) at Emerald Downs on 21 august, 2011 pursed $200,000.
It is easily the most acknowledged race in Washington where Awesome Gem strode ahead Noosa Beach by launching his bid from the outside rounding the far turn and renewing his pace in the stretch. It was a show set for 11.
It turned out to be quite an easy and comfortable win for Awesome Gem being ridden by David Flores as the colt was exposed to a clear advantage at the furlong pole giving him an edge of 1 ½ lengths.
This brought Noosa Beach to settle with a second position in the event that previously seized the first position just last year, whereas Awesome Gem stands to be the winner of the 2010 Hollywood Gold Cup where he managed earning more than $2.5 million.
No doubt he is the richest horse to ever race in Washington. He has also set the record of being the second horse to win the Longacres Mile from post 11 in 42 tries.
Noosa Beach galloped through Slew the Man and Posse Power but Mitchell, the jockey soon realized that this would not hold true in case of Awesome Gem as he posed a threat, swinging into the gear right away and race unflinchingly, leading the pack all the
way to the wire.
Flores, the proud rider of Awesome Gem shares his experience of staying behind Noosa who was leading then and says that he wanted to keep Gem relaxed but within range with his eyes targeted on the leader.
Flores who has also won the Longacres Mile aboard Isitingood in 1996, said "My horse was making such a big run that when we went by, I saw (Noosa Beach) fight back, but by that time it was too late.”
Moreover even Mitchell was pleased with the performance of his horse and finds himself lucky being a part of him and states that the horse has never failed him or turned to be a disappointment ever.
To date, Awesome Gem has raced 46 times in his career, gathering a record of nine wins, 14 seconds and five thirds, reaching for earnings of $2,688,270, finishing in the top three in 18 graded events during his blooming career and has five wins and six placings
in15 starts.
Such a horse is truly a rarity as all his connections knows that he will stand by and will not let them down. One h**l of a hardworking 8-year old Chestnut Gelding.
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