2023-10-28 23:29:08
Runaway Storm – Bryan Station S. – Coady Photography
Runaway Storm (Midnight Storm in Runaway Betty, for Run Away and Hide), in a close final of 3 contenders, took the best part by narrowly dominating her peers from Talk of the Nation (Quality Road) and Santorini (Twirling Candy ) in the 2023 edition of the Bryan Station Stakes (G3T, $300,000), one of the central events of this Saturday, October 28, closing date of the Keeneland fall meeting.
The exclusive test for 3-year-old grameros was held over a distance of one mile with the presence of 8 competitors, after the withdrawals of Mo Stash (Mo Town) and More Than Looks (More Than Ready), which had been designated as favorite in the morning line (9-5).
It was not exactly a perfect or clean game that the horse presented by Ethan West had, so his rider Colby Hernández had to quickly think of a different strategy for the pupil of breeder Robert J. Hunt than in his couple of previous victories, such as Also in the Virginia Derby G3T (3rd), he had competed showing clear speed leading the actions. Runaway Storm was seventh and penultimate at the turn of the first corner, about 6 lengths behind the leaders.
Smokey Mandate (Strong Mandate) and Santorini were the specimens that advanced in the first round, followed by Appraise (Ire) (Kodiac (GB)) and the specimen Talk of the Nation (Quality Road), which was the great favorite ( 1-2) was looking for his first grade victory with the Puerto Rican José Ortiz in the stirrups. Dude N Colorado (GB) (Uncle Mo) was about 3 lengths behind in fifth, leaving the eventual winner in the second pack in the company of Worthington (Classic Empire) (sixth) and Gigante (Not This Time) (eighth and last) .
Smokey Mandate left 23.81 for the first quarter mile, while Santorini took over for the following sections, recording 47.19 (half mile) and 1:11.37 for the 6 furlongs.
In the far corner terrain, Hernández began a striking advance with Runaway Storm, which through a fourth line attacked the duo of Santorini and Appraise (Ire); Talk of the Nation was fifth behind Smokey Mandate, with his rider waiting for space to give his horse a solid run.
In the final stretch, Runaway Storm (outside) was neck and neck with Santorini (inside), who with Alex Achard bravely refused to give up the lead in the final furlong (1:23.30). Talk of the Nation, outside Runaway Storm, joined the event for the final 100 meters, thus starring in an electrifying photographic finish, which after being developed, defined Robert Hunt’s gelding as the winner. Talk of the Nation and Santorini in that order completed the podium.
Smokey Mandate held fourth ahead of Dude N Colorado (GB). From sixth to last, Gigante, Worthington and Appraise (Ire) finished.
Runaway Storm ($42.50 to winner), bred in Kentucky by his owner Robert Joseph Hunt, then achieved his third victory (first selective and graded) in just 5 starts with a total of $288,525.
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