Strong Wind claims a big victory for trainer Steve Knapp in the Graduation Stakes
Juvenile, Strong Wind, demonstrated his true potential at Del Mar when he aced the Graduation Stakes on 1st August, 2012.
Paired with jockey Kevin Krigger, the charge of Steve Knapp bolted past his rivals in the deep stretch and completed the 5 ½ furlong race in 1 minute and 04.14 seconds.
He defeated, Just Call Me Al, who was ridden by Martin Garcia, whereas the third place was secured by Lovmeister, mounted by Jose Valdivia.
Strong Wind posted a gate to wire victory, as he set the pace in the five and one-half furlong race. He won by a considerable margin of 4 ¼ lengths.
Things did not go too well for the race favourite, Law Dog trained by Tevis McCauley, who raced with a 3-2 shot, but faded and ended up in fifth place.
The son of Tribal Rule, out of mare Chalk Face, has competed in five starts, and this was his second victory.
Prior to this, he was teamed with the same rider and claimed the maiden at Betfair Hollywood Park on 30th June, 2012, where he completed the 5 ½ furlong distance in 1 minute and 06.09 seconds.
The future plans of this Roncelli Family Trust owned runner have not been confirmed, but he may be pointed towards the $150,000 I’m Smokin Stakes for California-bred 2-year-olds that covers a distance of six furlongs on 3rd September,
2012 at Del Mar.
This victory was a particularly memorable one for Steve Knapp, who has not saddled a Stakes winner since Christiana’s Heat, who claimed the Irish O’Brien Stakes at Santa Anita in 2009.
The Knapp trained, Brushburn, competed in the California Dreamin’ Handicap at Del Mar on 22nd July, 2012, where he lost the victory to, Norvsky, over the course of 1 1/16 miles.
The finish as a runner-up was encouraging for the handler and he might saddle a few more runners this season.
Jockey Kevin Krigger also welcomed the victory, the rider mounted, Comma to the Top, in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar. With Amazombie on the track, it was hard to win but he still managed to finish in fourth place.
Tags: