Gierkink: Strong effort from Ami's Holiday in Marine

Sunday, May 25, review

Marine Stakes

Ami’s Holiday’s winless streak continued in the $140,000 Marine Stakes, but he was clearly best in the 1 1/16-mile route and therefore looms a solid contender for the July 6 Queen’s Plate off his fine effort in the open stakes for 3-year-olds.

Ami’s Holiday, who won the Grade 3 Grey Stakes last fall, rallied inside into contention on the far turn under Luis Contreras. He sought room early in the stretch but had to take back when a hole closed at the eighth pole. Ami’s Holiday then surged late along the rail but was beaten a neck by Asserting Bear and a head by Conquest Top Gun. Following a long inquiry, Asserting Bear was disqualified from first and placed third for interference, which elevated Conquest Top Gun ($8.10) to the top spot in his stakes debut.

Asserting Bear had pressed Conquest Top Gun through quick fractions, and they both received a Beyer Speed Figure of 82. It was a much-improved performance for Asserting Bear, who also is eligible for the $1 million Plate.

The other Plate nominees in the field were Tower of Texas (fourth) and Heart to Heart (sixth). Heart to Heart, who was rank early, was exiting an allowance score at Keeneland on grass, a surface on which he could specialize in the future.

Nassau Stakes

Trainer Reade Baker, who lost the Marine on the disqualification of Asserting Bear, sent out Solid Appeal ($7.40) to win the Grade 2 Nassau Stakes for the second year in a row later on the card.

Solid Appeal, last year’s champion turf female in Canada, rallied strongly from off a lively pace to collar 18-1 outsider Why Katherine in the final strides. Deceptive Vision, making her stakes debut as the favorite, tired to third after running rank on the early lead in the one-mile event under regular rider Shaun Bridgmohan.

“I tried to get her back, and she was very, very sharp,” Bridgmohan said. “I didn’t want to fight with her, either. I was surprised to find myself in a place where I never expected to be.”

Horses to watch

SAVVY HESTER
Trainer: Ricky Griffith
Last race: May 25, 8th
Finish: 4th by 3 1/4
Beyer: 85
She rebounded off a disappointing fourth in an optional event on Polytrack with an encouraging performance on grass in the Grade 2 Nassau Stakes, in which she was shut off between rivals in the stretch before digging back in late.

BAMBARRA BOLD
Trainer: Barb Minshall
Last race: May 25, 10th
Finish: 5th by 3 1/2
Beyer: 46
She got wiped out at the break and gave most of the others about a three-length head start in her debut but managed to close belatedly in a 14-horse field of Ontario-sired maidens.