2009 E.P. Taylor and Nearctic Stakes

By Cindy Pierson Dulay, About.com Guide

The first stakes race on Saturday was the $500,000 Nearctic Stakes (G2), a "Win and You're In" race for the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. A field of 11 older horses sprinted 6 furlongs on the turf, with Jungle Wave sent off as the 2-1 choice on the board, exiting a 4th place finish in the Woodbine Mile last out after winning the Play The King Stakes. In to challenge him included 3-1 second choice Chamberlain Bridge, exiting a win in the Turf Monster Handicap at Philadelphia Park, and 6-1 third choice Field Commission, 6th in the Woodbine Mile after finishing second to Jungle Wave in the Play The King.

Silver Z was quickest out of the gate under jockey Robert Landry through an opening quarter mile in 22.45, before Chamberlain Bridge moved 1/2 a length in front on the outside through a half in 45.84. Chamberlain Bridge led to the 1/8 pole through 5 furlongs in 57.33, but he tired late setting the race up for the closers. Field Commission, who was as far back as 9th early, came through an opening at the 1/8 pole and gained the lead at the 1/16, drawing off to win by 1 1/2 lengths over Bogue Chitto in 1:09.23 over the firm course. It was just a head back to late-running Jungle Wave third.
Results chart