Salt Water Reign rallied to a 1 3/4 length victory against allowance foes on Monday at Finger Lakes. Monday’s win marks the sixth career win for Salt Water Reign. All of her wins have been in allowance races with the exception of her maiden breaker which was a Maiden Special Weight race. Salt Water Reign has now raised her career earnings to more than $217,000.
Salt Water Reign broke alertly from the gate and found herself vying for the lead with 22-1 Rockin Sarah to her outside and 20-1 Sister Speed to her inside on the rail. Citrine, the odds on 3-4 favorite and apparent lone speed in the race broke in the air and was slammed at the start taking her out of the race and changing the race flow from the start. They raced that way down the backstretch and Citrine was hustled up to the front to join the pacesetters as the quarter went in 22.26. Veteran jockey John Davila was able to immediately see the three-way speed duel developing with two 20-1 horses and the over-used favorite. John allowed Salt Water Reign to relax and she settled in along the rail as the other three horses battled it out up front and they opened up a three-length advantage. They entered the turn with Rockin Sarah on the lead and Citrine pressing her to the outside every step of the way. Sister Speed began to drop back and Salt Water Reign was still about four lengths behind. The half went in 45.83. As they came out of the turn and to the top of the stretch Rockin Sarah was still in front but Salt Water Reign rallied up the rail and was only about a length off the tiring leaders. They rolled down the stretch with Salt Water Reign taking the lead and drawing away. She won by an eventual 1 3/4 lengths and the final time went in 1:05.61 for the 5 1/2 furlongs.
We spoke with Hibiscus Stables CEO Mike Oliveto after the race. Mike said, “This win underscores the intangible value in having expert trainers as part of our team. Steve Klesaris and Chris Englehart are superior horsemen and I’d put their expertise up against any trainer in the game. Salt Water Reign is a 6-year-old race mare now and she has already run through all of her state-bred conditions along with the open company N1X and N2X. Finding the right spot for her was and is a continuing challenge. Steve unselfishly recommended shifting her to Finger Lakes and Chris knew exactly where to place her. I couldn’t be happier for the partners, the team, and especially for Salt Water Reign. She’s a classy mare and she’s been so good to us. She deserves this win. She has a lot of heart. She’ll always be a very special horse to me.”
Salt Water Reign earned $11,880 for Monday's victory.
We’ll see how Salt Water Reign comes out of the race and trainer Chris Englehart will point her accordingly.
