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Technical Analysis leads Brown-trained trifecta in $150K Athenia

by Mary Eddy

Klaravich Stables’ Technical Analysis led a Chad Brown-trained trifecta when posting a wire-to-wire score in Friday’s $150,000 Athenia, a nine-furlong outer turf route for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up, at Belmont at the Big A.

The 5-year-old daughter of Kingman rebounded from an uncharacteristic fifth-place finish in the Grade 2 Mohegan Sun Ballston Spa on August 24 at Saratoga Race Course to notch her sixth career stakes conquest and provide Brown with a record-extending eighth score in this event.

Brown, who also saddled runner-up Beaute Cachee and third-place finisher Fluffy Socks, said Technical Analysis is slated to sell as a racing or broodmare prospect at the Keeneland Breeding Stock November Sale, entered as Hip 145 in the November 8 first session.

“It’s nice to see her go out a winner,” said Brown. “I’m so proud of her career. She’s been such a durable horse since the day we bought her as a yearling until now. She’s a very dependable horse, the type that any trainer really wants in the barn. I’ll miss her.”

Ridden to victory by Jose Ortiz, Technical Analysis broke sharply from post 5 in the eight-horse field and bounded away to an uncontested lead after the scratch of the often prominent Miss Dracarys and marked splits of 23.89 seconds and 49.74 over the firm footing.

“They ran well. With the speed horse scratching, it didn’t help Fluffy Socks who would have had a good chance to win. But it did help Technical Analysis get loose,” Brown said.

Uncorked raced in second position down the backstretch to the outside of Technical Analysis with Beaute Cachee saving ground along the rail in third and Fluffy Socks trailing in seventh. The order remained unchanged up to the final turn before Uncorked put in a brief bid and Favor launched a wide bid from fourth in pursuit of Technical Analysis, who still maintained a comfortable lead into the stretch after three-quarters in 1:14.26.

Ortiz asked his mount for her best down the lane and Technical Analysis dug in gamely as Beaute Cachee crept up the rail under Manny Franco and Fluffy Socks put in a run down the center of the course with an impressive turn of foot. But there was no denying Technical Analysis, who crossed the wire 1 1/4 lengths in front in a final time of 1:49.20.

Beaute Cachee held place honors by a half-length over Fluffy Socks, who fended off the late rush of Sparkle Blue by a neck for show. Favor, Uncorked, Evidencias and Eight Danzas completed the order of finish.

Brown said Technical Analysis faced a much better pace scenario today than in the Ballston Spa where Sister Bridgette led and opened up several lengths on the field before fading in the stretch.

“The Ballston Spa was a real mess with that horse running off on the lead and messing the race up. It was unfortunate,” said Brown. “But she was able to freshen up after that, and my team did a remarkable job of getting that race out of her head and take their time to reset her and bring her in for one last career start.”

Ortiz, who earned his fourth win on the card, said Technical Analysis was comfortable throughout.

“The first quarter was a little bit fast,” said Ortiz. “I outrun everybody to the first turn in 23 and 3 and I earned my right to slow it down on the turn. The turn is a little bit tight and usually horses slow down, so you'll see horses back up to 49. Usually, it's more like a 48 but it's a little bit soft out there, too. The pace backed up a little going to the backside and I was very happy and she was very happy. She gave me a great run.”

Brown added Beaute Cachee and Fluffy Socks could be headed to the Grade 1, $300,000 Matriarch on December 3 at Del Mar next.

Bred in Ireland by Rabbah Bloodstock Limited, Technical Analysis adds to a solid resume that includes wins in the De La Rose two starts back at the Spa, the Grade 2 Ballston Spa and Grade 2 Gallorette at Pimlico Race Course last year, and additional Spa victories in 2021 in the Grade 3 Lake George and Grade 2 Lake Placid. She banked $82,500 for her Athenia win, making her a millionaire with $1,059,043 in total purse earnings and returning $5.40 for a $2 win ticket. 

Live racing resumes Saturday at Belmont at the Big A with an 11-race card featuring the Grade 2, $250,000 Mother Goose in Race 8, the $135,000 Awad in Race 9, and the Grade 2, $300,000 Forty Niner in Race 10. First post is 12:05 p.m. Eastern. 

America's Day at the Races will present live coverage and analysis of every day of Belmont at the Big A on the networks of FOX Sports. For the broadcast schedule and channel finder, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule.

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