Stayers' Watch: Gallant Fox Handicap · 31.12.09
The final stayers’ race of 2009, Aqueduct’s Gallant Fox Handicap, was won by long-shot Tiger’s Rock. Perhaps the least-regarded of a trio of entrants from trainer Todd Pletcher (he was making both his dirt-track and stakes debute), Tiger’s Rock rated fifth for much of the 1 5/8 mile race as Lord Kipling set a moderate pace. As another Pletcher horse, pre-race favourite Nite Light, took the lead on the final turn, Tiger’s Rock followed him, caught him at the eighth-pole, and went on to win by 4 3/4 lengths in a time of 2:47.34. Nite Light held second over Giant Chieftan.
Champion Stayer Award standings — FINAL:
- Cloudy’s Knight — 24
- Champs Elysees — 14
- Brass Hat — 14
- Spice Route — 14
- Midships — 12
- Summer Bird — 10
- Man of Iron — 10
- Conduit — 10
- Interpatation — 10
- Just As Well — 10
- Telling — 10
- Spring House — 10
- Perfect Shower — 10
- Nite Light — 10
Nite Light’s second-place in the Gallant Fox, combined with another second in the Brooklyn Handicap and a win in the Turfway Park Fall Championship, give him a place on the leader board. Otherwise the standings remain unchanged, with Cloudy’s Knight on top. More to come within the next few days.
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