Maelstrom Leaves Rivals in His Wake In Steward's Cup Classic

Original article written by Marzy Dotes posted 12 years 4 weeks ago

Even before he reached the finish line, over 200,000 people who packed the racing venue of Hot Springs Park stood up and cheered the winner on home. In this case, a bold chestnut colt with a name as perfect as his conformation.

That’d be Maelstrom who toyed with his competition in the rendition of the $4 million Grade I Steward’s Cup Classic then whorled in the stretch to defeat the mighty mare Amber by three lengths. His time, a scorching 1:58.70 for the 1 ¼ miles over the fast track. The world record held by the renowned Symbol was still safe, but Maelstrom’s performance made it clear that might have been only by whim.

Earlier this year, the striking son of former North American Horse of the Year Sun Raider did what his sire couldn’t, which was sweep the American Triple Crown in stirring fashion. His sire had to be satisfied with capturing the latter two legs of the series but Maelstrom once he got started proved he would be a force difficult to stop. His only loss that season came in the Long Island Handicap where he led until mid stretch and succumbed to a late charge by one of his elders, Triumph.

Luis Polar bought Maelstrom for $4.706 million and his broodmare Such Great Heights had already produced the noteworthy dual surface performer Yes. After Maelstrom started blazing his trail, his full sister Crystal Quest sold at auction for $30 million and has lit up the mornings with her speed works as she prepares for her debut. Maelstrom began his run for glory at a young age as well. He broke his maiden first time out in impressive fashion over the mile distance before capturing the Don’t Hesitate Stakes over Wheely the Bomb. That horse turned the tables on him in the Bubbly Stakes where Maelstrom finished third but he didn’t toss in the towel. Hardly, he set out to make his mark on the road to the Triple Crown, winning both the Giacomo Stakes and the Sunshine Park Derby by 1 ½ lengths over The Smoke Monster.

Then he went on to make history becoming the sport’s first horse to wear all three blankets of flowers since Awake As I Am. But unlike that champion performer, Maelstrom resumed racing after his Long Island Classic with a month’s rest and even after that defeat, set his sights on his swan song performance in the Classic.

But a strong field of nine other horses lined up to face off with him, hoping that his loss in the Long Island Handicap underscored his vulnerability in competition after the arduous Triple Crown campaign. Two of the sport’s most formidable female dirt routers tossed their hats in the entry box as well.
Former North American Champion Three Year Old Filly Whitney had been flawless since her third place finish in the Steward’s Cup Classic the previous year, winning four stakes including the Desert World Cup. She rebounded from that feat impressively winning her final two starts before the Steward’s Cup including the Oceanside Classic and looked formidable during the time she spent prepping for her final start.

But alongside her, was Amber, diminutive physically perhaps in comparison but not in competitive drive and spirit. This dark bay mare bred and owned by Susie Raisher boasted two champions as parents in Awake As I Am and two-time North American Champion Older Female Clearly Best and this past season had been victorious in all four stakes starts. She defeated males in three of those starts including the Summer Bird Stakes where she eked out a victory over Father Ralph by a ¼ length.

Last year’s Louisville Derby winner Flame and Smoke also loomed large even after his two third place finishes in both the Arcadia and Oceanside Classics. Asian Champion Three Year Old Male Father Ralph, a son of Hall of Famer California won the Metropolitan Handicap before his second place finish in the Summer Bird Stakes.

Midsummer Classic winner Open At The Close, a son of Caldron looked like a strong candidate for breeder and owner Alysse Peverell as the gray colt prepped for the race with two wins after a fifth place finish in the Baltimore Crown.
Ava Gardner who rides Maelstrom rode him to the starting gate amid questions about whether or not she ever used to be an actress. She just shrugged while dressed in her green and orange stripes.

“I get that a lot,” she explained while trying to contain the exuberance of her mount on the way to the starting gate.

But after the gates were open, Gardner was all business and so was Maelstrom as he settled comfortably in the third spot behind Amber who sprinted off to a 1 ½ length lead over Echelon while others including Whitney settled behind them. Amber kicked it off to a bigger lead in the backstretch, her mane rippling as she stretched out by 3 ¼ lengths. Maelstrom streamed up into the second spot by a head over Echelon as every pair of eyes at the racetrack focused on the leaders. In the far turn, Maelstrom made his move edging to a ½ length advantage over a determined Amber as Who I Am and Whitney remained closest to the duo’s wake.

However, in the stretch Maelstrom pricked up his ears and zoomed away from Amber while Gardner urged him along, not that it took much encouragement. Other horses like Open At The Close and Father Ralph tried to close as well but couldn’t get close to the Triple Crown winner who finished his stellar career off in grand style.

Amber showed her grit at the very end by holding off Open At The Close by a neck to hang on to the second spot while the latter horse cleared third place by a ¼ length over Whitney who also capped her remarkable career as the sport’s most foremost Amazon.

After his award ceremony in the winner’s circle, Maelstrom drew a few breaths of relaxation before heading off to stud at The Sunshine Farm where he’ll stand for $125,000. He’s already attracted many top blue hen mares including two North American Champions in Salute the Sky and Iki along with the indestructible Shalevet Pass. The black filly the iron mare birthed will be her last as afterward she was pensioned by her owner perhaps because her number had finally come up.

Whitney also retired and visited War Daddy to produce a son named Guinness who hopes to start his own racing career in his parents’ footsteps some time next season.

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