Chace The Great to outclass rivals today
Published:Saturday | January 9, 2021 | 12:08 AMAinsley Walters/Gleaner Writer
CHACE THE GREAT is down in class from his big open-allowance run behind TREVOR’S CHOICE in the Chris Armond Sprint Trophy, finishing a charging half-length second to his much younger rival at five and a half furlongs.
Reporting among non-restricted overnight-allowance runners at six and a half on Saturday, the eight-year-old former sprint champion has topweight 126lb but appears to be staying on better as he ages. Prior to his strong run behind TREVOR’S CHOICE, CHACE THE GREAT had similarly turned in a top effort when beaten by imported SPARKLE DIAMOND at five and a half, finishing three-quarter lengths behind the foreigner, carrying 121lb with Omar Walker astride.
Both events featured cracking splits, sub-46.0 half-mile fractions, in which CHACE THE GREAT was the only closer making any impression on the respective winners.
THE CLOSER LEGALITY
LEGALITY is the closer who CHACE THE GREAT has to fear. Run off his legs at five and a half behind TREVOR’S CHOICE, the milder pace at six and a half should suit him better. However, LEGALITY’s chances hinge a lot on how Walker gets CHACE THE GREAT navigate the home turn.
Drawn out wide and already fond of blowing the home turn, CHACE THE GREAT could save valuable lengths if ridden to stay just off the rail instead of attacking wide of rivals on the corner.
With no outright speedster such as TREVOR’S CHOICE or SPARKLE DIAMOND in the event, CHACE THE GREAT should be able to use his back class to stay the distance. The fractions should be friendlier, allowing the oldstager to be even closer, getting first run ahead of LEGALITY, who might be too late with his charge.