Big Union runs away with George Royal
Big Union utilized a powerful move at the quarter pole to pull away from his rivals and went on to score a 3-length victory in the $50,000 George Royal at Hastings on Saturday.
An extremely competitive field of six went to post with half of the contestants clustered at 3-1 and a mere $240 separating those top three choices in the final win pool.
The early pace was lively as Bakken Overdrive and Be Quick dueled through a quarter in 21.53 before Bakken Overdrive put away his rival and led through a half-mile in 44.63. Immediately on the scene was Big Union, who cleared the field by the time they entered the stretch and won comfortably, covering 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.62 under jockey Ridge Balgobin.
Soaringforthesun came from last to be second under Amadeo Perez, while Bakken Overdrive held on to be third with Kimal Santo in the saddle.
Trainer Nicole Rycroft, member of a longtime racing family, saddled just the third starter of her training career and netted her first stakes win with Big Union, who paid $13.50 in a very mild upset. Rycroft said: "I just wanted him to sit behind the speed and he did, and he came and had a huge run at the end which I was hoping he'd do, and he he just keeps impressing me."
Co-featured on Saturday was the $50,000 Emerald Downs Stakes, won by favorite We B Three, who stalked a three-horse duel through a half-mile in 45.87 before finding room along the inside and drawing away for a 2-length victory in 1:16:58.
We B Three was the even-money betting choice and was ridden by leading rider Amadeo Perez. The son of 5-time Hastings stakes winner Teide is owned by Willow Creek Farms and trained by Steve Henson.
Pacesetter Rea Mea held on very gamely to be second with jockey Kimal Santo aboard, while the other runner involved in a well-fought pace battle, Bayakoas Image, was third under Silvino Morales.
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