Ioya Bigtime bags a surprise victory in the Grade 3 Stars and Stripes Stakes at Arlington Park
Despite, the fact that the market support was in favour of the Roger L. Attfield trained, Musketier, in the Grade 3 Stars and Stripes Stakes at Arlington Park on 14th July, 2012, he missed winning narrowly by 1 ½ lengths to
Ioya Bigtime, who was a long-shot and surprised everyone with his magnificent win.
Over the distance of 1 ½ miles, the Chris M. Block trained runner snapped his losing streak and, secured the victory after six failed attempts, regaining his lost glory in 2 minutes and 28.44 seconds and went home, $85,500 richer.
The third place was secured by the winner’s stable-mate, Suntracer, who finished a neck after the runner-up, while the fourth, fifth and sixth places were held by Joinem, Eagle Poise and Harrods Creek, respectively.
Ioya Bigtime, owned by Team Block, raced on 1 ½ miles for the first time in his career. The risk of running him over a larger distance paid off well for his connections.
With rider Jeffrey Sanchez, he followed the pacesetter, Workin For Hops, who completed the opening quarter-mile 25.27 seconds and, half-mile in 49.58 seconds.
On the third turn, the five-year-old saw a gap and took the lead, as he covered the rest of the distance briskly and crossed the 1 mile mark in 1 minute and 38.87 seconds.
After 1 ¼ miles, he led by 1 length, and left the competition struggling behind.
Despite being the pacesetter, Workin For Hops fell into last place.
Pleased with the performance of his runners, the winning trainer told the press that:
"Both of my horses trained well up to the race," Chris Block commented. "I knew Suntracer could get the mile and a half but I didn't know about Ioya Bigtime. I have to give Jeffrey Sanchez a lot of credit. He can be a tough horse to ride, but Jeffrey
seems to have his number. He got him to relax nicely."
The son of Dynaformer, out of mare Ioya Two, toned up well from his performance in the Black Tie Affair Handicap at the same track on 16th June, 2012, where he finished fifth over the distance of 1 1/16 miles.
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