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Race Review: The Y26 Steward's Cup Turf Mile
Original article written by Louise Bayou posted 14 years 3 weeks agoThe winner of the $2,000,000 Steward's Cup Turf Mile was the Ashley Gibson home bred colt Offshore Excursion. This Fleet Admiral colt came in to this race as one of the favorites after a very good year. Offshore Excursion came in to the Stewards Cup off of a sparkling win in the $200,000 Golden State Mile. In that race he broke poorly but proved much the best, winning by 2 3/4 lengths and earning a speed figure of 70. On Steward Cup day, he was ready to run, and proved to be best. He broke well, but steadied early, but won under a driving finish. This colt earned a speed figure of 81 and won by 2 lengths. With the $1,000,000 purse, Offshore Excursion ended his career with $2,391,000 and a race record of 16:11-3-2. He was retired and became an instant hit in the breeding shed, breeding 116 mares in his first year at stud.
Finishing 2nd was the Franky Dam colt All I want to Tell. This $451,000 Steward bred purchase broke well, dueled for the lead early but had nothing for the winner. He earned a speed figure of 76 and $440,000, brining his total earnings to $982,000. This Test Your Strength colt had a great year, coming in to the Stewards Cup undefeated. He won 5 Graded stakes last year, 2 Grade 1's and 3 Grade 2's.
The Amanda Kessler colt Prince of Night finished 3rd. This $4,000,000 Steward bred purchase by Bago, earned $200,000 and a speed figure of 75 in this race. He broke on top and dueled with the runner up All I Want to Tell, giving up the lead late. Prince of Night had two Graded stakes wins this year, the Grade 1 Prix Benjamin Franklin and the Grade 2 Hail the Queen Stake.
The Red White and Blue colt Stroke of Genius was fourth. This $307,000 Steward bred purchase is owned by Kenneth Gordon. In the Steward Cup Turf Mile he broke well, and dueled right off the leaders but had no rally late. He earned a speed figure of 73 and $140,000 bringing his total earnings to $1,044,000.
Laura Smith's $450,000 Steward bred purchase Trick of the Eye was fifth in this race. This Performing Tricks colt earned $40,000 and a speed figure of 67 for his efforts. He broke quickly, settled mid pack but could not mount a challenge in this race. Trick of the Eye was retired after this race, with career earnings of $1,014,500 and a race record of 15:9-3-0.
The Fleet Admiral colt Afraid to Lead was sixth. The Rob Kilbourn 4 year old colt was a $250,000 Steward bred purchase. He came in to this race on a 4 race win streak but was no match for the top finishers. This colt stumbled at the start, sat mid pack, and was out finished. With the sixth place finish, he earned a 63 speed figure but no purse money. His career earnings stand at $767,250 and his race record is 11:8-1-0.
The defending Turf Mile champion Star Signs found this years group to tough and he finished 7th of the 8 runners. He broke well but had no response and could not find mount a challenge in this race. He earned a speed figure of 54, but no purse money. He has been retired with lifetime earnings of $2,236,000 and a race record of 18:9-6-1. After being retired after the Stewards Cup Star Signs saw 53 mares in his first year at stud.
Rounding out the field was the Jamie Newton owned Mind the Gap. This Performing Tricks colt broke well but was no threat, and earned only a speed figure of 48. His race earnings stand at $359,500 and his record is 9:3-2-2.