Stay Thirsty second best to an amazing Trickmeister run to win the Vanlandingham Stakes
The IEAH Stables owned 5-year-old horse, Trickmeister, despite exiting a terrible race by his standards in the Grade 1 Donn Handicap on 11 February, 2012, when he finished sixth to winner, Hymn Book, got back to winning ways in the Vanlandingham Stakes at Belmont Park by defeating the last year’s Grade 1 Travers Stakes winner, Stay Thirsty.
Trainer Richard Dutrow was over the moon after his runner went all out to win the race, as he said that a horse doesn’t have to go on and set a track record in these types of races, but Trickmeister ran an awfully well to defeat the Todd Pletcher trainee.
Mike Repole owned Stay Thirsty was making his first start of the 2012 campaign, as he was exiting an 11th place finish in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic last fall at Churchill Downs, got defeated by 1 ¾ of a length.
The 4-year-old Bernardini colt conceded six pounds to the rest of the field by being the 124 pound top weight.
Ramon Dominguez had his first ride on Trickmeister in the sixth place finish defeat in the Donn Handicap, but this time around Trickmeister was exceptional under Dominguez.
The duo broke sharply and carved impressive early fractions by going the first quarter mile in 23.23 seconds and half mile in 45.72 seconds.
Stay Thirsty pressed the leader through the first half mile, as he stole the lead from him and sent him back at third place, but Trickmeister had a trick up his sleeve to rally out of his skin and take the 1 1/16 miles race over the Belmont Park’s dirt course in 1 minute and 39.86 seconds.
The son of Proud Citizen was just 0.48 seconds off the track record 1 minute and 38.89 seconds set by Birdrun back in 2009.
“You figure in a race like this you wouldn’t have to set a track record in order to win, but (Trickmeister) ran an awfully good race and you have to give him credit for that,” said Todd Pletcher.
Stay Thirsty was coming off a six month layoff, and maybe that got to him, but he still finished second and kept tabs on Trickmeister all the way.
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