I've watched virtually every one of the races that my horses have run, along with hundreds of other big races over my 10 seasons in Photo Finish. To this day, I still contend that the greatest race I've ever seen was #465, the 8.5f Fountain of Youth Stakes on 2-21-04.
It was a stiff field containing such Photo Finish icons as Dubai Gold, Thief of Hearts, Troll Tower, and Blushing Approval. As a result, Nightwing was a 14-1 longshot. Even Argonath, Spendthrift, and Swaleaway all had better odds from the bookmakers. It was Nightwing's third career race and his first try on dirt.He was post position 7 in the 11-horse field and quickly fell back to trail the field when they got underway.
1F - 12 lengths off the leader.
2F - 15 lengths back.
3F - 15 lengths back as they come out of the first turn.
4F - Still 15 lengths off the pace.
5F - 13 lengths back after having made up a little ground.
6F - Still 13 lengths back midway through the back turn. Just 2.5 furlongs to go.
7F - Sweeping up and past a group but still 9 lengths back. 1.5 furlongs left.
7.5F - Battling Troll Tower for third. Dubai Gold and Thief of Hearts are still 7 lengths ahead with just 1F to go.
8F - Blows past Troll Tower and making up ground on the tired leaders, but still 5 lengths back with just 1/16th of a mile to go.
To cap off a miraculous comeback, Nightwing went to the rail and showed incredible heart by running down Dubai Gold to win by a short length.
I have never seen a more exciting finish or a gutsier performance and that's why, in my opinion, it ranks as the best PF race of all-time.
8 comments:
Enjoy it. You won't have any winners for a long time.
I removed my first comment. :)
Hmmm.. I guess whoever posted above didn't realize that this race was 9 years old.
Nightwing must have been horrible to own Jim. Waiting until the LAST possible minute to make his move. I'll have to check it out. :D
Exciting to watch... unless he falls a nose short. lol
By 1 furlong he had already dropped back 12 lengths!?!? Geeze.. did he walk about the gate?
That is not a typo. He came out at effort-level 1 and was 12 lengths back at the 1F pole.
See I never had that... I had more of a look out for the closers... Handsome Man HAD to be on the lead... Even if he ran at level 5 for almost the entire race. He needed a bit of nightwings patience and nightwing needed some of Handsome Mans impatience. Lol Why couldn't they have found a happy medium somewhere?!?
Gee Anonymous I'd hate to make a negative comment on every post mate.. Write your name next time ;)
Yeah Jim I've got to get around to watching this race! I remember you mentioning it a long time ago and now I've got hrfan I'd love to have a look. Good luck this season mate!
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