Just a Game BC

Sand Springs proved nimble to take the Just a Game (Debra Kral/Horsephotos.com)

Sangster Family Stable’s SAND SPRINGS (Dynaformer) quickly moved to the fore
at the beginning of Saturday’s $300,000
Just a Game Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) at
Belmont Park and was never headed at any call to take the mile firm turf test by
2 1/2 lengths. Set down for the drive by jockey John Velazquez in the stretch,
the five-year-old mare easily held off defending champion Intercontinental (GB)
(Danehill) and the fast-closing Wonder Again (Silver Hawk) to stop the clock in
1:33.

Switched to trainer Bill Mott after spending most of her career with Tony
Reinstedler, the dark bay mare set splits of :23 2/5, :46 2/5 and 1:10, and was
sent off the 7-1 third-choice in the nine-horse field. She gave back $17.40,
$4.80 and $3.40 while keying the $35.60 exacta and $122 trifecta (6-3-5).
Intercontinental, the 3-5 choice, and Wonder Again raced in the back before the
former finally managed to tug her way closer to the front. The favorite held
second by a half-length over Wonder Again, who came with her late rally on the
outside, and paid $2.60 and $2.40. Wonder Again gave back $3 at 9-2.

Asti (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells), Fortunate Damsel (Runaway Groom), Mambo Slew
(Kingmambo), Changing World (Spinning World), Riskaverse (Dynaformer) and Please
Take Me Out (Take Me Out) finished out the order under the wire. Forty Marchanta
(Arg) (Roar) was listed as main track only and didn’t draw in.

Sand Springs now sports a line of 23-8-4-2 with $926,558 in accumulated
earnings. She adds to victories in the Lake Placid H. (G2), Regret S.
(G3), Honey Fox H. (G3) and Kentucky Cup Ladies Turf S., and has placed in six
other black-type events, including the Distaff Turf Mile S. (G3) prior to
Saturday’s run.