Gierkink's review: Shocker in Highlander prep

Friday, June 13, review

Awesome Eclipse pulled off a 41-1 upset under Sheena Ryan in the $82,154 allowance prep for the July 6 Highlander Stakes, scoring by a half-length over another older gelding, Paso Doble. Owner Gail Proteau, a former trainer, said the Grade 2 Highlander on turf definitely is a possibility for the versatile Awesome Eclipse, who is based at Fort Erie with trainer Ravendra Raghunath.

The field size for the six-furlong sprint actually increased from five to seven after it was moved from turf to Polytrack because the main-track-only entrants Paso Doble and Sniper got to run. At the finish, there was just a two-length gap between the winner and the trailing Run to the Bank, who disappointed as the 9-5 second choice. The favored Black Hornet faded to fourth after setting a lively pace in his first outing in seven months, a race he seemingly needed.

Ryan, Woodbine’s leading apprentice, also won the 8th aboard the wide/charging second-timer Is It Back, who paid a generous $13 in the $50,000 maiden dash.

All three events on the nine-race card that were scheduled for grass were moved to Polytrack.