Synchrony Continues To Climb Up The Ladder In Muniz Memorial Stakes

By Ryan Martin —-

3/24/2018. – Synchrony with Joe Bravo aboard wis the 26th running of the Muniz Memorial Handicap at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.

SYNCHRONY CONTINUES TO CLIMB UP THE LADDER IN MUNIZ MEMORIAL STAKES

NEW ORLEANS (March 24, 2018) – Pin Oak Stable’s Synchrony improved his record to 3-for-3 over the Stall-Wilson Turf Course with a convincing score in the $300,000 Grade 2 Muniz Memorial Handicap. The Mike Stidham-trainee won again after a victory in last month’s Gr. III Fair Grounds Handicap when racing for the first time in nearly nine months.

Breaking from the rail post position, Synchrony was much closer to the pace this time around, racing only a few lengths off 91-1 longshot Zulu Alpha, who established control by the stands the first time and set the early tempo of 23.67. Third betting choice Forge (GB) challenged the leader down the backside through a half-mile in 48.81. The field bunched around the far turn and fanned out across the course as they straightened for home.

Joe Bravo tipped Synchrony into the clear and the response was immediate. The son of Tapit lengthened his stride and pulled clear late, crossing the wire 1¾ lengths in front of runner-up Arklow. The final time was 1:49.59. It was three quarters of a length back to pacesetting Zulu Alpha in third. Second to Synchrony last time out, Mr. Misunderstood rounded out the superfecta.

“The thing that’s so incredible about this horse is he is so adaptable,” Stidham said. “He can sit back last and make a big run late or if you need to use him like we did today and be a little closer he can do that too. That’s what is so cool about the horse.”

It was another win at the Fair Grounds meet for the high-percentage duo of Joe Bravo and Mike Stidham.

“He’s on the path to being a really nice horse,” Bravo said. “Mike figured him out. The horse is happy and he’s enjoying himself.”

The homebred for Mrs. Josephine Abercrombie’s Pin Oak Stable has never been worse than second in five starts on grass. Stidham switched the 5-year-old to turf when racing for the second time in his care, almost exactly a year ago.

“This was a pretty big step up in class,” Stidham said. There were some really good horses in here. It was a deep, contentious field. We’re going to be looking at a lot of different spots. Certainly we’ll look at (the Gr. I $500,000 Old Forester Turf Classic on May 5). Throughout the spring and summer there are so many opportunities for this kind of horse.”

Sent off as the 3-1 slight favorite, Synchrony paid $8.00, $4.60, $3.60. Last year’s Gr. II American Turf Stakes winner Arklow paid $10.60 to place and $7.60 to show. Longshot Zulu Alpha paid $25.20 to show.

Synchrony increased his bankroll to $438,102 and has won five races in 12 career starts.

Rounding out the field were Ring Weekend, Lucullan, Forge (GB), One Mean Man, Revved Up, Galton, and Danish Dynaformer.