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Flames Takes Long Island Classic, His Second Jewel in Crown
Original article written by Marzy Dotes posted 14 years 1 week agoComing from the back of the field, Flames hit the finish line first to win the $1 million Grade 1 Long Island Classic over War Daddy by less than a length.
The bay son of Oak Park put on a thrilling show as he seized his second jewel in the Triple Crown having already won the Louisville Derby over noteworthy rival, West who then went on to win the Baltimore Crown. Flames finished third in that race held at Baltimore Race Course.
West sat this race out and Flames made the most of it running in the back of the pack while Liveinthemoment took the lead and War Daddy chased him from the moment the gates opened. Jockey Oliver Brunetto who’s ridden Flames in all of his starts sat patiently until it came time in the stretch for his horse to begin picking off competitors until just catching War Daddy before they went under the wire. Earn the Roses who stalked the leaders during the race finished third. The winner ran the 1 ½ distance on a fast track in 2:27.00.
The crowd cheered the winner as he jogged back and was led into the winner’s circle by his connections. The handsome colt is owned by Gerrie Hardie who purchased him for $821,000 at a two year old in training sale. Obviously this is an investment that has paid itself off and then some. So far Flames has won five out of eight starts and earned over $1.7 million.
War Daddy also closed to finish second, adding that finish to his list of accomplishments including a win in the Sun Devil Derby.
California bred Earn the Roses avenged his inexplicable 12th place finish in the Louisville Derby running back to his form in the Hot Springs Derby. He had also finished within two lengths of Flames in the Sunshine Derby earlier this year. Liveinthemoment faded in the stretch to finish fourth after leading the field by 5 ½ lengths at one point in the race.
The triple crown races have all proved to be thrilling events highlighting the sport of horse racing and have left indelible memories to those who have participated and those who watched the races unfold. And Flames has provided memories of his own through his outstanding performances in all three races. And he did what Oak Park had tried to do during his own racing career, he won the Long Island Classic.