State of Play shaved past III Conceived by a head to win the Battaglia Stakes at Turfway Park
State of Play coupled with jockey Victor Lebron made most of the opportunity to gain a fortuitous head-bob against a gutsy run by III Conceived in the $75,000 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes held at Turfway Park on 3 March, 2012.
The Team Valor International owned 3-year-old colt, State of Play, was exiting a seventh place finish in the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, where the newly turned 3-year-old colt was experiencing on dirt for the first time in his 2012 debut
under jockey A. Garcia on 4 February, 2012.
Moved back to an All Weather track, State of Play relished every second of it, as he was rated just outside of the leader III Conceived, as he broke swiftly from the gate and assumed the lead, while he was able to set a deliberate pace, going the first quarter
in 24.69 seconds and half mile in 49.83 seconds in the 1 1/16 mile race in a field of five 3-year-old colts.
State of Play settled off of III Conceived, who was still leading by a length nearing the quarter pole. However, with Stewart Elliott aboard, III Conceived drifted on the outside, presenting a little room for State of Play to manipulate the leader.
Approaching at the top of the lane, State of Play took over and pegged III Conceived back, but just when it was looking as if State of Play was running away with the race, the runner-up in gutsy fashion didn’t give up and fought back relentlessly.
It looked as if III Conceived took the lead back in the final strides, but State of Play was pushed to his limits, and eventually put his head down at the right time to win the 1 1/16 mile long race in 1 minute and 46.55 seconds.
“When I saw Stewart’s get the lead, I thought we’d be in good shape,” said Lebron. “I was a little worried with his horse going that slow, but it helped me to have an easier pace, so I could finish harder with my horse. His horse was getting out around the
second turn and he was fighting with him, so I dug right in to the inside. I got the jump on him and started riding a little earlier than I would have. My horse just did not want to lose."
Sent at 2 to 1 as the second choice, State of Play lived up to expectations and presented a powerful run in the stretch, which proved to be slightly better than III Conceived’s run.
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