With the early break of 1-2 favourite Amigo Volo, EL Ideal faced little challenge when winning the $505,050 Valley Victory at the Meadowlands on Saturday, Nov. 23.
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Amigo Volo lost stride at the start while EL Ideal left for the front. The Muscle Hill colt cleared command with Chestnut Hill sitting second to a :28.1 first quarter and raced uncontested to a :57.4 half. Ready For Moni mounted a first-over bid entering the final turn and applied minor pressure passing three-quarters in 1:26.1 but could only give chase through the lane. EL Ideal strolled through the final quarter to stop the clock in 1:53.2 with Ready For Moni in second and Chestnut Hill third.
“Halfway down the lane behind the gate I saw [Amigo Volo] was a little unsteady,” Andy Miller said after the race, “so I didn’t know when he ran or what happened but I thought he probably ran when he didn’t move at the quarter. It was just kind of my race from there. This horse is quick off the car and then he relaxes really good. Ake’s done a great job managing him and keeping him under control.”
Collecting his fourth victory from 10 starts, EL Ideal has earned $523,934 for owner Emp Invest Oy. Ake Svanstedt trains the $8.00 winner.