Monday, September 01, 2008

MANI BHAVAN BEHAVES BEAUTIFULLY IN SPINAWAY

Mani Bhavan, making her third career start and second start in 18 days, led at every call Sunday afternoon and held off Jardin for a one-length victory in the 117th running of the Grade 1, $250,000 Spinaway for two-year-old fillies at seven furlongs.

Owned by Puglisi Stable and TYB Stable, the Storm Boot filly broke her maiden at first asking at Delaware Park on July 12. Trainer Steve Klesaris considered running her here at Saratoga Race Course on July 23 in the Opening Day Grade 3 Schuylerville, but rainy weather convinced Klesaris to wait.

His patience was promptly rewarded when Mani Bhavan won the Grade 2, 6½-furlong Adirondack by seven lengths on August 13. Obviously, she had a lot more left in the tank for the Spinaway, Saratoga’s biggest race for juvenile fillies.


Under jockey Alan Garcia, who is in dogfight for the leading rider title here, Mani Bhavan shot out of the gate and quickly took position at the rail. She got into high gear quickly and clicked off fractions of 22.18, 45.46 and 1:11.03 on the fast track. Only Jardin, the Schuylerville winner, had a chance and gave chase late, but when she drifted in inside the final furlong, heavily favored Mani Bhavan had the race won in 1:25.23.

A $2 win ticket on her netted $3.40.

“It was a gutsy performance,” Klesaris said. “The runner-up ran a great race, and Mani Bhavan dug in to fight her off. Midway down the stretch, I was concerned. Jardin was coming relentlessly. My filly was digging down and enough to hold her off. I don’t know what’s next. Today was a good test. We’ll go back to the drawing board and evaluate and see what’s next.”

Trainer Steve Asmussen, who won Saturday’s Grade 1 Woodward with 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin, was far from disappointed by Jardin’s effort.

“I thought she ran a beautiful race. Robby (Albarado) gave her a dream trip and finished second. It looked like Robby had a shot to get her (Mani Bhavan), but she was getting tired.”

It was five and a quarter lengths back to Collegiate, who was followed by Casanova Move, Winning Brew and August Rush, who lost all chance when she stumbled at the start.

Girlfriendontheside and Mine All Mine were scratched.


SPINAWAY QUOTES

Winning trainer Steve Klesaris of favored Mani Bhavan (No. 8): “It was a gutsy performance. The runner-up ran a great race, and Mani Bhavan dug in to fight her off. Midway down the stretch, I was concerned. Jardin was coming relentlessly. My filly was digging down and had enough to hold her off. I don’t know what’s next. Today was a good test. We’ll go back to the drawing board and evaluate and see what’s next.”

Winning trainer Alan Garcia: “She was a little nervous inside the gate, but she is very quick away from there. I wasn't nervous when I saw Jardin coming at us. I knew I still a lot of horse to keep going. When she was coming closer to us, my filly was trying hard. I didn’t want to be too hard on her because I wanted to save her for the next race. She’s a nice filly. Steve did good with her coming back in 18 days.”

Steve Asmussen, trainer of runner Jardin (No. 4): “I thought she ran a beautiful race. Robby (Albarado) gave her a dream trip and finished second. It looked like Robby had a shot to get her (Mani Bhavan), but she was getting tired.”

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