Idol Finishes Best of All To Take the Big ‘Cap

[Wandering Eyes]

Undefeated Maxfield (Street Sense) was the all the rage pari-mutuelly for Saturday's GI Santa Anita H., his perfect five-for-five record to date leading to his starting price of even money. But it was not to be for the Godolphin homebred, as Calvin Nyuyen's IDOL (c, 4, Curlin–Marion Ravenwood, by A.P. Indy) came with a final-furlong flourish to take the storied event at odds of 27-5. Express Train (Union Rags) led into the final eighth of mile before getting run down in the final strides, while Maxfield could do no better than a one-paced third. King Guillermo (Uncle Mo) led early from Tizamagician (Tiznow), with Maxfield a difficult-to-handle fifth and Idol racing three off the inside from second last. King Guillermo kicked on at a decent pace down the backstretch and took the Big 'Cap field into the second turn, as Maxfield, asked by Florent Geroux to improve fully a half-mile from home, warmed up to the task four wide on the bend. Idol had been put to a drive by Joel Rosario with over three furlongs to race and did it less than willingly, but nevertheless drew into contention nearing the stretch. Express Train, prominent throughout, got first run on his rivals as Independence Hall (Constitution) loomed a threat, but steered out widest of all, Idol did the best work late and claimed Express Train in the dying strides. Sales history: $375,000 Ylg '18 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 6-3-2-1. O-Calvin Nguyen; B-My Meadowview LLC (KY); T-Richard Baltas.

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