Pixelate outruns Bodecream in Woodchopper Stakes
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
Pixelate lost ground on both turns, didn’t get much pace to set up his late run, was competing at a distance probably short of his best, and raced on the wrong lead for much of the homestretch. He also was the best horse in the $75,000 Woodchopper Stakes, which permitted him to overcome the challenging circumstances and win the one-mile turf race for 3-year-olds at Fair Grounds.
Pixelate and jockey Angel Suarez kicked hard the final half-furlong and got up by about a neck over pacesetting second choice Bodecream. Dynadrive turned in a competitive effort to finish third.
Pixelate, favored, paid $5.60 to win for trainer Mike Stidham and owner-breeder Godolphin. He was timed in 1:37.47 for about one mile on a “good” turf course, the temporary rail set at seven feet.
:: Click to learn about our DRF's Free Past Performance program.
Pixelate, by City Zip out of Speckled, by Street Cry, was somewhat overqualified for a race like the Woodchopper. He’d been a close, tough-luck fourth last out in the $150,000 Bryan Station at Keeneland, fifth behind a false pace two back in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby, a winner three back in the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby, and second four back to the very talented Gufo in the Kent Stakes.
But Pixelate probably wants more distance than he got Saturday, and when 5-2 shot Bodecream was allowed to stroll unchallenged through a half-mile in a slow 49.25 seconds, Pixelate looked like he could be in trouble. Still seventh bending into the clubhouse turn, Pixelate moved up while racing three to four paths off the fence, but much of the momentum he’d gathered was lost when he had to corner wide into the homestretch as Bodecream hugged the rail.
Pixelate gathered himself again, finally changed leads inside the final furlong, and with Dynadrive pushing him forward with a closing run to his outside, he was up in the final strides.
Pixelate needed a final furlong in about 11 seconds to win the Woodchopper. A good horse can do that and Pixelate clearly was best Saturday.