NEWS
Gleam of Hope takes over in stretch to win Cradle
Posted: Monday, September 07, 2009 7:49 PM
GLEAM OF HOPE
Courtesy of River Downs
by Patrick Reed
Gleam of Hope shot through an opening on the inside in early stretch and pulled away to a 2¼-length victory in the $200,000 Budweiser Select Cradle Stakes on Monday at River Downs.
Ridden by Corey Lanerie, the two-year-old City Zip colt covered 1 1/16 miles on track rated as good in 1:46.80 and posted his third consecutive win.
The Cradle, which since 2007 has served as prep for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, was run on River Downs’ main track following heavy rain earlier in the day.
Lanerie kept Gleam of Hope well reserved early as Eddie Set Go and Marathon Moon dueled through an opening half-mile in :48. Strike the Tiger, a Wesley Ward trainee who entered the Cradle off consecutive turf stakes victories and a memorable trip to Royal Ascot, also tracked the leaders through the backstretch before launching a mild bid on the far turn as the 3-to-2 favorite.
As the nine-horse field entered the stretch, Lanerie skillfully guided Gleam of Hope to the rail, and the colt responded with a burst of speed to open up a commanding lead.
Maiden winner Guys Reward closed willingly in the final furlong but could not catch Gleam of Hope. Harrods Creek also rallied late to take third. Strike the Tiger had no response when asked and finished seventh.
Gleam of Hope scored his first win in a six-furlong race on Ellis Park’s dirt track on August 7 for trainer Anthony Reinstedler. He then captured a one-mile turf allowance race at River Downs on August 15 before scoring his breakthrough stakes victory in the Cradle.
Gleam of Hope improved his career record to three wins from four starts and boosted his earnings to $151,682. Bred in Kentucky by owners Dr. and Mrs. A. C. Asbury, he is out of the winning Vice Regent mare Victorious Vice.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Patrick Reed is a Thoroughbred Times contributing writer
