Went The Day Well earns a victory for Team Valor and Graham Motion in the Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes
Under John Velazquez, Went The Day Well’s performance was truly commendable, as he conquered the $500,000 Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park on March, 2012, earning a victory for Team Valor International and trainer, Graham Motion.
The three –year-old bay colt followed in the footsteps of his stable mate Animal Kingdom, who later led to a historic victory in the Kentucky Derby Stakes in 2011.
Motion appreciated his runner’s performance as he told the media that: "I was very impressed with him, "he further elaborated that "Apart from a little greeness (in the stretch) he couldn't have been better. When Animal Kingdom won this race last year, he
was very explosive, but this horse was a little explosive, too. I hate to compare the two because they are such different horses."
With this victory, the son of Proud Citizen, out of mare Tiz Maie’s Day, qualified to participate in the Kentucky Derby field in his stakes debut. He entered this race with the odds of 5 to 1, and defeated, Holiday Promise, by 3 ½ lengths over 1 1/8 mile
in 1 minute and 51.33 seconds.
With odds of 2 to 1, the race favourite in this race was Heavy Breathing, who managed to stand third in this race. Heavy Breathing, Holiday Promise and Went The Day Well raced in contention dueling to take the lead.
Went The Day Well gained pace by going three paths wide rounding the turn to take the lead near the quarter pole, leaving the two runners behind. He gained his speed on the mid-stretch leading to a comfortable finish over the wire.
Velazquez stated that "He still doesn't know very much," he further elaborated on the colt’s technique stating that "As soon as he pulled out at the quarter pole and he found himself on the lead, he didn't know what to do. I just encouraged him to keep going
forward. I think this horse will go all day."
With this victory in the bag, Graham Motion is confident that Went The Day Well will be in the run for the Kentucky Derby. If he succeeds, it would be legendary for the young runner and his connections.
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