Rahystrada defeats race favourite Boisterous in the Grade 3 Arlington Handicap
The Grade 3, $200,000 Arlington Handicap at Arlington Park was set to be Boisterous’ from the second it started but, the race did not go the way people expected it to.
The 9-5 favourite lost to, Rahystrada, who claimed the 1 ¼ mile race in an impressive manner and went home with $115,200.
Rahystrada, who was mounted by jockey Joel Rosario, delivered an unexpected race and made his connections beam with pride, as he clocked the distance 2 minutes and 01.84 seconds, and defeated Boisterous.
It was too close to call but, Rahystrada extremely narrowly downed Boisterous by a marginal difference of a neck, who rode under jockey, Alan Garcia.
The third place was claimed by, Mister Marti Gras, who finished 2 ½ lengths after the runner-up under the command of rider, Shaun Bridgmohan.
Cherokee Lord was the pacesetter and, had the early lead, but approaching the first turn, Rahystrada took the lead and completed the first quarter-mile in 24.15 seconds and half-mile in 48.51 seconds.
The eight-year-old gelding kept the competition at bay for most of the race and maintained his lead for a mile, which he completed in 1 minute and 38.11 seconds.
He was threatened by the Claude R. McGaughey trained, Boisterous, in the closing stages, the two battled it out hard, but it was Rahystrada who triumphed.
The winning rider commented on the race strategy of taking the lead in the early stages and told the press:
"They told me there wasn't a whole lot of speed in the race," Joel Rosario commented. "I sent him out of there and tried to hold my position. He likes to run close to the pace. He took the bit on the backside and he was gone after that."
The son of Rahy, foaled by mare Ministrada, previously bagged the Arlington Handicap on 17th July, 2010, when he rode under Inez Karlsson and defeated, Just As Well, in 2 minutes and 01.26 seconds.
Owner Robert E. Courtney, Jr. was delighted with the way the race turned out as he commented:
"It's a great feeling (to win this race again after two years)."
The owner also said:
"He's been a wonderful horse. Who would imagine an 8-year-old gelding coming back and winning this for the second time?"
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