Beholder wins the Clement L. Hirsch for fun
Two-time Eclipse Champion Beholder showed up to the Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch and did just what was expected of her. Breaking smoothly, the multi-millionaire mare stalked the early pace before pouncing early. Toying with her competition, Beholder waited until the top of the stretch to turn on the afterburners. With just a few reminder taps from Gary Stevens, she stayed straight and strong down the stretch, easily winning by 7 lengths.
Breaking from post 1, Beholder broke sharply but was content to let others go out to do the early leg work. From post 3, it was My Sweet Addiction that established the early lead. Beholder tucked in behind her heading for the clubhouse turn but shifted to the outside swinging onto the backstretch. Her move to the outside left the rail open for Honey Ride, who utilized that opportunity to pass My Sweet Addiction to the inside and seize the lead.
With My Sweet Addiction and then Honey Ride showing the way, the opening quarter went in :23.91, the half in :47.86. Midway down the backstretch, Beholder began to move up on the two leaders, striking the lead before the field ever hit the far turn. With yet another new leader, the first three-quarters was put up in 1:11.86.
As they hit the top of the stretch, Gary Stevens peeked over his shoulder. He must have liked what he saw because he did not move atop Beholder as she pulled away from her rivals all on her own. As she continued to draw away, Stevens did give her a few reminder taps to keep her mind on business but had little work to do otherwise. At the wire, Beholder had never been challenged and finished up the 1 1/16 mile race in 1:43.81. Not an impressive time, but the mare never had to work and ran only as fast as she needed.
Yahilwa moved up 3 to 4 wide through the lane and was a clear second, 4 ¼ lengths ahead of third place finisher Warren’s Veneda. My Sweet Addiction and Honey Ride faded to fourth and fifth respectively. My Monet, Legacy, and Thegirlinthatsong completed the order of finish.
As the heavy favorite, Beholder paid $2.60/$2.20/$2.10. Thirteen-to-one shot Yahilwa returned $7.00/$4.80 for the place, and Warren’s Veneda returned $2.60 for the show. The $1 exacta paid $9.80, $1 trifecta returned $35.30 and the $1 superfecta was worth $220.70.
By Henny Hughes and out of the Tricky Creek mare Leslie’s Lady, Beholder was bred by Clarkland Farm and was picked up for $180,000 by Spendthrift Farm as a yearling out of the Keeneland 2011 September Yearling Sale. Today’s Hirsch victory was Beholder’s 13th win in 18 career starts and 7th overall Grade 1 victory. She has also now won a top level event in each year she has raced. Her total purse earnings are now up to a cool $3,656,600.
As to the mare’s next start, the Zenyatta Stakes would be the conservative approach, but trainer Richard Mandella did mention after the race that his champion runner could face the boys in the Pacific Classic in three weeks.