Candy Ride’s Geaux Rocket Ride Much the Best in Affirmed

[Wandering Eyes]

Prohibitive 1-2 pick Geaux Rocket Ride (c, 3, Candy Ride {Arg}–Beyond Grace, by Uncle Mo) justified those short odds with a facile win Sunday in Santa Anita's Affirmed S. despite losing his front left shoe. His task was made easier when second choice Skinner (Curlin) was scratched Saturday after trainer John Shirreffs was not pleased with his recent jogs.

A $350,000 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky yearling, Geaux Rocket Ride broke smoothly from the outside as Ze-bul (Collected) stumbled leaving the gate and was left well in arrears. The eventual winner raced in third and in the clear as Hard to Figure (Hard Spun) and Del Mar Jerry (Mastery) emerged from the early fray to set the pace through :23.27 and :46.11 early fractions. Three furlongs from home, jockey Ramon Vazquez let it out a notch and Geaux Rocket Ride immediately responded, moving easily as he cruised up, swept around the field, and sailed for home about three lengths the best. Mr. Fisk (Arrogate) chased him home as Hard to Figure settled for third. The final time was 1:43.75 for the 1 1/16 miles.

Geaux Rocket Ride was last seen finishing second to eventual GI Santa Anita Derby winner Practical Move (Practical Joke) in the GII San Felipe S. Mar. 4.

This story will be updated.

B-OXO Equine LLC (KY); O-Pin Oaks Stud LLC; T-Richard Mandella; J-Ramon Vazquez.

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