Typically, Sky Classic was eighth of nine early in the 1 3/16-mile grass race. Day gave the signal early on the run down the backstretch and Sky Classic immediately forged into the race, passing nearly half the field. Just as he appeared set to blow by them all, the tiring front-runners started backing up, creating a traffic jam for Sky Classic and his rider.
For nearly a quarter mile, horse and rider had no room to do anything but wait. Meanwhile, some of the horses that Sky Classic had passed came right back to pass him.
By the time a hole finally opened at the head of the stretch for Sky Classic, 11-1 shot Chenin Blanc had opened a clear lead and appeared to have control of the race.
But Sky Classic, unable to run for so long, was dying to run now. And run he did, overwhelming the other horses with his acceleration and blowing by Chenin Blanc to win by a comfortable 1 1/4 lengths. He was at least 7 lengths the best.
Sky Classic paid $3.40. The 2-7 exacta with Chenin Blanc paid $25.40 and the 2-8-1 trifecta (Lotus Pool was third) paid $130. Sky Classic, a son of Nijinsky II (Northern Dancer's best son), ran the distance in 1:52 1/5, just a fifth of a second off Steinlen's stakes and course record, set in 1990.
"(Sky Classic) has quick acceleration," said Pat Day. "When I had to steady a little bit, he didn't just drop the bit and fall back. It wasn't a case where I had to hurry up and get back into my position. When it opened up a little, he was ready to go ahead and respond."
Yes, he was. And nobody was shocked. Sky Classic has now won 13 of his 21 grass starts. A half-length loss in the May 1 Early Times Turf Classic at Churchill Downs cost him a sweep of the spring series, which concluded with races at Pimlico and Belmont Park. That half-length cost the horse's connections a $1 million bonus.
"I've thought about that a lot," said James Day, who won a 1968 Olympic equestrian gold medal in Mexico City.
The Caesars victory was worth $300,000 to Canadian Ernie Samuels' powerful Sam Son Farm. And it meant that Pat Day became the first rider to sweep South Jersey's two major races in the same year. Last month, he won the Jersey Derby at Garden State Park on American Chance.
It's early in the grass season to be crowning champions, especially since many of the top members of the grass division haven't really gotten into it yet. But Sky Classic has a big jump on his potential rivals.
"If they voted right now, he'd probably win the election," said James Day, who also happens to have champion filly Dance Smartly in his barn.
Atlantic City chairman Bob Levy buttonholed James Day in the winner's circle, imploring him to send Dance Smartly to the July 15 Matchmaker Stakes. The trainer said he would strongly consider it.
As for Sky Classic, he dominated Canadian breds last year before tiring after being dogged all the way on the lead in the Breeders' Cup Turf. The horse's ultimate goal again this year is the Cup.
"The Breeders' Cup is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow," James Day said.
Pat Day already got his pot of gold this year, that elusive first Kentucky Derby win. In the midst of another great season, the Derby victory on Lil E. Tee stands out.
"The biggest thing was the Kentucky Derby," Pat Day said. "It's indescribable. I can't begin to tell you the feeling that I had when I went under the wire in front that day. It's just an awesome feeling."
Pat Day knows the feeling. So does James Day. And with horses such as Sky Classic, they're not likely to lose the feeling any time soon.
For nearly a quarter mile, horse and rider had no room to do anything but wait. Meanwhile, some of the horses that Sky Classic had passed came right back to pass him.
By the time a hole finally opened at the head of the stretch for Sky Classic, 11-1 shot Chenin Blanc had opened a clear lead and appeared to have control of the race.
But Sky Classic, unable to run for so long, was dying to run now. And run he did, overwhelming the other horses with his acceleration and blowing by Chenin Blanc to win by a comfortable 1 1/4 lengths. He was at least 7 lengths the best.
Sky Classic paid $3.40. The 2-7 exacta with Chenin Blanc paid $25.40 and the 2-8-1 trifecta (Lotus Pool was third) paid $130. Sky Classic, a son of Nijinsky II (Northern Dancer's best son), ran the distance in 1:52 1/5, just a fifth of a second off Steinlen's stakes and course record, set in 1990.
"(Sky Classic) has quick acceleration," said Pat Day. "When I had to steady a little bit, he didn't just drop the bit and fall back. It wasn't a case where I had to hurry up and get back into my position. When it opened up a little, he was ready to go ahead and respond."
Yes, he was. And nobody was shocked. Sky Classic has now won 13 of his 21 grass starts. A half-length loss in the May 1 Early Times Turf Classic at Churchill Downs cost him a sweep of the spring series, which concluded with races at Pimlico and Belmont Park. That half-length cost the horse's connections a $1 million bonus.
"I've thought about that a lot," said James Day, who won a 1968 Olympic equestrian gold medal in Mexico City.
The Caesars victory was worth $300,000 to Canadian Ernie Samuels' powerful Sam Son Farm. And it meant that Pat Day became the first rider to sweep South Jersey's two major races in the same year. Last month, he won the Jersey Derby at Garden State Park on American Chance.
It's early in the grass season to be crowning champions, especially since many of the top members of the grass division haven't really gotten into it yet. But Sky Classic has a big jump on his potential rivals.
"If they voted right now, he'd probably win the election," said James Day, who also happens to have champion filly Dance Smartly in his barn.
Atlantic City chairman Bob Levy buttonholed James Day in the winner's circle, imploring him to send Dance Smartly to the July 15 Matchmaker Stakes. The trainer said he would strongly consider it.
As for Sky Classic, he dominated Canadian breds last year before tiring after being dogged all the way on the lead in the Breeders' Cup Turf. The horse's ultimate goal again this year is the Cup.
"The Breeders' Cup is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow," James Day said.
Pat Day already got his pot of gold this year, that elusive first Kentucky Derby win. In the midst of another great season, the Derby victory on Lil E. Tee stands out.
"The biggest thing was the Kentucky Derby," Pat Day said. "It's indescribable. I can't begin to tell you the feeling that I had when I went under the wire in front that day. It's just an awesome feeling."
Pat Day knows the feeling. So does James Day. And with horses such as Sky Classic, they're not likely to lose the feeling any time soon.