Gierkink's review: Aldous Snow shatters course record

Aldous Snow shatters course record

Sam-Son Farm and trainer Malcolm Pierce won their third turf race of the meet with their fifth starter, the classy underachiever Aldous Snow ($11.00).

Aldous Snow rallied wide from the back of the pack to nose out Tesseron in a rapid time of 1:38.62, which lowered the 1 1/16-mile course record by 0.37. The clocking wasn’t far off the North American turf record for the distance of 1:38, set by Told at Penn National in 1980.

Aldous Snow was making his season debut as a first-time gelding, and the hanging tendencies, which he was once known for, appear to be behind him.

Pierce has won with nine of 18 starters at this stand. His horses ran sparingly over the winter and spring at Fair Grounds and Keeneland, which might explain why he’s going great guns these days.

Other notable performances

On Rainbow Bridge won the $125,800 Lady Angela off an eight-month layoff, which was her third stakes success. With Skye Chernetz riding for trainer Dave Cotey, On Rainbow Bridge saved ground before seizing command in the stretch and held off a charging Sweater Weather to prevail by a nose. Her time of 1:23.57 was good for a 79 Beyer Speed Figure.

Good Bye Greg came from Arlington to notch his second win in as many starts in a seven-furlong optional claimer for 3-year-olds. He won his debut there by 13 lengths with a 95 Beyer and scored by 5 1/4 lengths here after leading all the way again, receiving a 76 Beyer. There was no show wagering on the five-horse race, but a whopping $255,845 was bet to place on Good Bye Greg, who returned $2.60 and $2.10.

Horse to Watch

BANGLA DANCER
Trainer: Carla Christoffersen
Last race: June 7, 6th
Finish: 6th by 7 1/4
Beyer: 70

She was bumped at the break and stumbled in the early going while in tight just behind rivals before trying to mount a wide bid. It was her second race off the bench, and she should be more effective the next time she runs in another first-level allowance turf sprint.