Omaha Beach Noses Out Game Winner in Rebel Thriller

[Wandering Eyes]

OMAHA BEACH (c, 3, War Front–Charming, by Seeking the Gold) and Game Winner (Candy Ride {Arg}) hit the wire together in the second division of the GII Rebel S. noses apart, with the progressive Fox Hill Farms colorbearer getting the better of last year’s juvenile champion and dealing that rival his first defeat. Omaha Beach secured a forward position tracking a pair of leaders leaving the gate, with Game Winner settling in between horses in midpack around the first turn. Omaha Beach dialed up the pressure beneath Mike Smith entering the backstretch with a quick move to press the pace through a half-mile in :47.29. Game Winner made progress entering the far turn with a four-wide move, but by that point Omaha Beach seized control and appeared to be traveling well within himself as the field turned for home. Game Winner took dead aim on his fellow California invader in the stretch drive and gradually chipped away at the advantage, but as the pair hit the wire, Omaha Beach held on by the slightest of margins. The final time of 1:42.42 was a touch faster than the 1:42.49 registered by Long Range Toddy (Take Charge Indy) in the first division of the Rebel. Favored in all five of his previous starts, Omaha Beach began his career on turf and completed a successful transition to dirt when easily graduating from the maiden ranks in a seven-furlong heat at Santa Anita Feb. 2. The impeccably bred winner is a half-brother to champion juvenile filly Take Charge Brandi (Giant’s Causeway) and a full to G1SP Courage Under Fire. Second dam, MGISW Take Charge Lady, is herself responsible for champion Will Take Charge and GISW Take Charge Indy, sire of Long Range Toddy. Sales History: $625,000 RNA yrl KEESEP ’17. Lifetime Record: GSW, 6-2-3-1, $521,800.

O- Fox Hill Farms. B-Charming Syndicate. T-Richard Mandella.

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