As the gates opened, Spanish Chestnut went right to the lead under Gary Stevens with High Limit and Ramon Dominguez in hot pursuit. John Velazquez allowed Bandini to settle into stride from his outside post in the early stages with Closing Argument and Consolidator behind him. Mr Sword was next with Sun King uncharacteristically back in last. Spanish Chestnut and High Limit remained in a ding-dong battle until mid-point on the turn for home as Bandini engaged the duo from the outside. Straightening into the stretch, Bandini asserted himself as Spanish Chestnut fell back. High Limit continued on towards the wire as Closing Argument and Sun King made mild runs at the leaders late. At the wire, Bandini was six lengths clear of High Limit with Closing Argument and Sun King, a neck apart, three lengths behind. They were followed in order by Consolidator, Spanish Chestnut and Mr Sword. Final running time for the mile and an eighth was 1:50.16. Results chart
"I was quietly confident today," said winning trainer Todd Pletcher. "He had two really good breezes here, so I was only concerned about our post and his focus. It couldn't have gone any better."
Winning jockey Velazquez was very pleased with the son of Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus, who was purchased at the Keeneland 2003 September Yearling Sale for $500,000 by his owners Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith. "We broke well and we were very comfortable after that. He ran much better today than he did in the Fountain of Youth. He learns from every race and this experience will teach him even more. He is much more focused now."
