NEWS
Dynaslew continues strong campaign
with Ballston Spa score
Posted: Saturday, August 28, 2010 4:49 PM
DYNASLEW
Adam Coglianese/NYRA photo
For video of the Ballston Spa Handicap, click here.
by Mike Curry
Dynaslew emerged as a consistent older female on the turf this season, picking up her first graded stakes win in May and finishing fourth by a neck in the Diana Handicap (G1) on July 31 at Saratoga Race Course.
The four-year-old Dynaformer filly continued a successful campaign on Saturday at Saratoga for trainer Seth Benzel and owner-breeder Live Oak Plantation with her most significant victory to date in the $200,000 Ballston Spa Handicap (G2).
Dynaslew stalked game pacesetter Silver Reunion from second under Eibar Coa and surged past that foe in the final sixteenth to prevail by a half-length, covering 1 1/16 miles in 1:40.58 on firm turf. The course record for the distance is 1:39.92, set by Leroidesanimaux (Brz) in the Fourstardave Handicap (G2) during his 2005 champion turf male campaign.
“I was real happy with our position. Eibar has ridden this filly to a T. Dynaslew is a versatile filly that doesn't need to have the lead,” Benzel said. “On paper, [Silver Reunion] wanted the lead. Eibar felt our filly had that option, but she didn't need it to win. It's a perfect union between the two. Dynaslew isn't easy to ride—she's temperamental and you see that in the paddock and post parade.”
Entering the Ballston Spa, Dynaslew had two wins and one second in four starts this season. She won an optional claiming race in April at Gulfstream Park and followed with a dominant win in the Beaugay Stakes (G3) on May 1 at Belmont Park. After finishing second in the All Along Stakes (G3) on June 19 at Colonial Downs, Dynaslew held her own against elite competition in the Diana.
Sent off at 7.80-to-1 odds, Dynaslew rated patiently about two lengths behind Silver Reunion through six furlongs in 1:11.15 and challenged that foe approaching the eighth pole. Dynaslew and edged past Silver Reunion late to improve to five wins from 13 starts and earnings of $365,852. Florida-bred Dynaslew is out of multiple stakes winner Slews Final Answer, by Seattle Slew.
“When I saw [Silver Reunion] going to the lead I decided to get back, and she relaxed for me pretty good, so that was good,” Coa said. “In the stretch, she just kept digging and digging and digging. She never stopped running. She ran her race today.”
Silver Reunion, who broke through the starting gate prior to the race, was one length clear of 3.40-to-1 second betting choice Miss Keller (Ire). Multiple graded stakes winner Phola finished eighth of ten as the 2.45-to-1 favorite.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
