C R K Stable's Supercharger turned on the jets to score a late-charging victory in the $500,000 Secretariat Stakes (G2T) Aug. 1 at Colonial Downs for trainer Cherie DeVaux.
Breaking a few steps slow in the field of eight, rider Manny Franco settled Supercharger in sixth, just ahead of trailers Turf Star and Vino Solo, as Conducted led a group of five early speedsters on the front end.
Conducted drilled fractions of :23.40. :47.68, and 1:11.06, with pressure from favorite Alpyland and Street Beast from behind.
As the field rounded the far turn, Alpyland staged his attack on the front-runner, quickly moving from off his flank to a neck-and-neck duel, as Street Beast began to fade from the front.
Supercharger began his rally to the far outside, as he was briefly passed by Turf Star to his inside leading up to the far turn.
The 3-year-old son of Constitution then kicked into high gear at the top of the stretch, and swung to the far outside of fellow closer Infiltrate, where the pair continued to grind down the new leader Alpyland.
Both Supercharger and Infiltrate continued to fight through the final furlong, but Supercharger's rally proved best as he got up by a half-length at the wire over Infiltrate in second, with Alpyland another neck back in third. The colt picked up his first graded stakes victory, and his third straight win of the year.
The winner ran the 1 1/16-mile race in a final time of 1:41.24 on firm turf, and paid $8.40 to win.
Video: Secretariat S. (G2T)
Gimme a Nother Lands Beverly D.
Gimme a Nother kept firing down the lane to secure a hard-fought victory in the $500,000 Beverly D. Stakes (G2T) one race later on the Saturday card at Colonial Downs, earning her third straight graded score since moving stateside for owner Newstead Stables.
The Graham Motion trainee broke alertly and was taken back to settle midpack in fourth, where she comfortably held position from the outside behind the duo of Somethinabouther and Crevalle d'Oro, who were chasing headstrong pacesetter Achieve.
Achieve, uncontested up front, posted fractions of :24.77, :49.34, 1:13.41, and 1:37.03.
Moving up to the outside of Somethinabouther, John Velazquez swung Gimme a Nother wide to start her drive to catch front-runner Achieve, who kicked on gamely into the stretch.
Closing with every stride, Gimme a Nother surged to get her neck in front of Achieve, who ran second, and Somethinabouther, who finished third, a neck behind Achieve.
Gimme a Nother, a 6-year-old daughter of South African sire Gimmethegreenlight, is now a three-time graded stakes winner in the United States, with five group wins in her native South Africa, for career earnings of $811,373.
"She's a remarkable filly and just the kindest horse around the barn. Hopefully we get her back to the Breeders' Cup," Motion said.
The winner ran the 1 3/16-mile race over a firm turf course in a final time of 1:54.28, paying $5.20 to win.
