Weigh the Risks, NYRA Photo
Brian Bohl
Klaravich Stables’ Weigh the Risks showed the same form in the fall that she did over the summer, building on a dominant victory at Saratoga Race Course when benefitting from jockey Manny Franco’s patient ride and outkicking a stubborn Patricia Ann to post a 1 1/4-length victory in Saturday’s Listed $150,000 Pumpkin Pie at Aqueduct Racetrack.
The Pumpkin Pie, a seven-furlong sprint for filles 3-years-old and up that was rescheduled from October 31 after inclement weather canceled that card, saw Weigh the Risks back in action for the first time since besting allowance company by 7 3/4 lengths on July 23 at the Spa. The 4-year-old Mendelssohn chestnut broke sharp from the outermost post 7 and tracked in third position as Volleyballprincess led the seven-horse field through an opening quarter-mile in 22.51 seconds and the half in 45.28 on the fast main track.
In the turn, Franco confidently urged Weigh the Risks from the outside, overtaking Patricia Ann and Volleyballprincess. Entering the stretch, Franco set down his charge for home, though rider Kendrick Carmouche kept Patricia Ann determined from the inside as three-quarters were clocked in 1:09.55. Weigh the Risks would not be deterred, hitting the wire in 1:22.22 to register her fifth win in 12 starts for five-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown.
Patricia Ann, trained by Carlos Martin, finished a half-length clear of a hard-charging Scalable for second, with Nic’s Style finishing fourth. St. Benedicts Prep, Taliesin and Volleyballprincess completed the order of finish. Maggy’s Palace was scratched.
Off as the 6-5 favorite, Weigh the Risks, bred in Kentucky by Porta Pia Stables, returned $4.68 on a $2 win bet. Her fourth win in her last five starts on dirt – with a runner-up effort in the Heavenly Prize Invitational in February at the Big A thrown into that mix – brought her career earnings to $369,321 with the winner’s share of $82,500 while improving her record to 12-5-2-0.
After her strong effort in the one-mile Heavenly Prize, Weigh the Risks returned to sprinting and registered her first career triple-digit Beyer Speed Figure with a 101 for her Saratoga win before another strong seven-furlong effort on Saturday.
“I had the outside post, so I used that advantage – she was traveling well, taking me the whole way around – I was loaded.” Franco said. “She was hanging on the left lead for a while but as soon as she switched leads, she gave me that other gear she has.
“I think she’s more dirt – she’s a lot more mature now and you can do whatever you want with her,” Franco added of the filly who made six of her first seven starts on turf.
Patricia Ann was a runner-up for a second consecutive race, matching her finish from September 27 here when she ran second to R Disaster in the 6 1/2-furlong Grade 2 Gallant Bloom.
“No excuses – second best. I thought she ran her race,” Carmouche said. “She tried to fight back at the end, which was really good for her – she always does, but I thought the horse that beat us was best.
“When I moved at the three-eighths pole, I tried to get away from them but I never could get away from them – second best,” Carmouche continued.
Live racing resumes Sunday at Aqueduct Racetrack with a nine-race card, featuring the $150,000 Awad in Race 3. First post is 12:10 p.m. Eastern.
America’s Day at the Races will present live coverage and analysis of the Aqueduct Racetrack fall meet on the networks of FOX Sports. For the broadcast schedule and channel finder, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule/.
NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Aqueduct Racetrack, and the best way to bet every race of the fall meet. Available to horse players nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.
