Winter Memories - 2011 Garden City (G1)

Trapped behind a wall of horses in midstretch, Winter Memories unleashed a breathtaking last-to-first run on the far outside through the final yards to nab Theyskens' Theory at the wire in Saturday's Grade 1, $250,000 Garden City at Belmont Park.

Although forwardly placed behind More Than Real through an opening quarter-mile in 26.40 seconds over the firm turf, Winter Memories was soon shuffled back to last as the field of eight 3-year-old fillies traveled down the backside through a half in 51.60 and three-quarters in 1:16.12. Offered no opportunity to go inside or split rivals once straightened for home, jockey Javier Castellano had to wait until well inside the eighth pole to angle the lanky gray filly to the outside. Once clear, she took off like a rocket without being asked and inhaled the field in a matter of strides, hitting the wire a neck in front.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• winter
• memories
• nyra
• horse
• racing
• garden
• city
• belmont
• park
• 2011
• castellano
• toner

[ahsans786]

love how she never lost her spirit despite begin in a choke hold all race.

[orinocodog]

some filly

[sgc1234]

really good call

[illtwin2]

WOW. Heard about it, read about it, but just saw it for the first time right now. That was something.

[GBeret83]

@kedez2012, I agree that Winter Memories is tough to beat once she's in the clear. But it looked to me like Castellano didn't have the easiest time getting her into the clear himself in this race. I'll guarantee you that when James Toner and Javier Castellano went over how to ride her in this race, the plan wasn't wait until the field all bunches up. Then swing her out wider than the rest of the field, and run down Theysken's Theory in the final 50 yards. Guarantee you that wasn't the plan!! JMO

[kedez2012]

@GBeret83 I disagree about the ride. Castellano did the opposite of what Lezcano did in the Lake Placid--instead of sending her up early and getting boxed in by the field, he pulled her back, waited for an opening, and let her do her job. Winter Memories is nearly unbeatable when she's the clear. Lezcano just had trouble getting her there

[HJkhys]

It looks like she has her own effective strategy...

[danielle38134]

Simply amazing !! She is very beautiful and full of heart!! Great race!!!

[pdbeck1]

What an amazing horse! Love it, love her!

[bonniecrocker]

That's the most exciting race I've ever seen!