Something Extra Gate to Wire in Shakertown
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Something Extra took nine rivals gate to wire April 4 in the Shakertown Stakes (gr. IIIT), breaking through for a victory in his third attempt in the $125,000 turf sprint at Keeneland .
The 7-year-old gelding by Indian Charlie controlled the pace from the get-go and had enough stamina in reserve to hold off the rapid outside charge of 44-1 longshot Channel Marker and score by a half length at 8-1 odds.
Third in the Shakertown last year and runner-up in 2013 after racing off the pace each time, Something Extra changed tactics this year. He pounced to the front immediately for Shaun Bridgmohan, setting quick fractions of :21.75 and :44.89, while Brazilian champion sprinter Berlino Di Tiger chased about a length back and Channel Marker bided his time at the tail end of he 10-horse field
Berlino Di Tiger threw in the towel in the stretch and Something Extra opened up by three lengths, but Channel Marker was full of run after angling six wide into the stretch and closed ground rapidly on the outside to just miss.
"He had a great trip. Shaun let him do whatever he wanted," said trainer Gail Cox, who owns Something Extra with John Menary. "Funny, we always thought he liked really, really hard, firm turf, but he loved this (yielding turf course)."
Cox bought Something Extra, who is out of the stakes-placed Mt. Livermore mare Our Mariah, for $85,000 at the 2009 Keeneland September yearling sale, where he was offered by Taylor Made Sales Agency.
Something Extra covered 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:02.85 on ground softened to good by heavy rain the previous day.
Undrafted gained a bit in the stretch to take third after racing in eighth, then seventh, early, while slight 2-1 favorite Power Alert was fourth after moving into second in early stretch.
Bridgmohan said Something Extra was relaxed on the lead.
"He was pretty content there," he said. "He broke so sharply. Gail and I spoke about it and all she said was, 'Just make sure he's happy.' He was happy being there."
Something Extra, who was bred in Kentucky by Gulf Coast Farms, notched his first U.S. grade stakes win after capturing four stakes at Woodbine, including back-to-back editions of the Connaught Cup Stakes (Can-II) in 2012 and 2013 and the 2014 Highlander Stakes (Can-II). He has a 9-8-5 record from 29 career starts and earnings of $865,656.
Under equal weights of 118 pounds, Something Extra paid $18.40, $8.40, and $5, while Channel Marker returned $26.40 and $10.40. Undrafted brought $3.40 to show.
Tightend Touchdown, Zee Bros, Go Blue Or Go Home, Berlino Di Tiger, Choctaw Chuck, and Amelia's Wild Ride completed the order of finish. Mellow Fellow was scratched.