Lakota Defies Penalty

Penalties in racing are there to try and protect the handicap marks and ensure as much equality in races as possible. Horses receive them for winning before the handicapper has a chance to reassess so trainers can us them to gain an advantage. Blue Lakota has been a slow burner but after an impressive first career win, he died a 6lb penalty to win the 5f Sky Bet For The Fans Nursery Handicap at Chelmsford.
Reverting to the all-weather, Blue Lakota had been knocking on the door before bursting through with an emphatic win last time out. The 4 1/2 lengths was an impressive winning margin and was sure to get the 2yo a hike in the handicap. With an entry already in the book it was decided that a 6lb penalty may be more lenient than a new mark.
Warren Fentiman has quickly announced himself as a huge prospect and his 7lb claim would offset the penalty. Although he was a very warm favourite, Blue Lakota was dropping to 5f so nothing was a given. When his rivals jumped out a little quicker from the stalls, Blue Lakota had to rousted along into the bridle but was shuffled towards the rear of the 8 runners. It was a very strong pac early as they charged through the first furlong and quickly started swinging around the left handed bend.
The sharper trip did have Blue Lakota on the back foot racing around the bend as the pace never eased. Despite being under a little pressure he was maintaining his position swinging around the home bend. As the straightened up the leaders looked to knock from the front, with just 2f to run. They couldn’t get a break on the field and quickly looked like sitting ducks as those in behind lined up. Warren angled his mount out wide and started to pick up, moving closer to the fore.
With 3/4 rivals in line the race looked likely to be a close run battle. That was until Blue Lakota started to hit top gear. Having won over 6f, the latter stages were always gonna be his strongest and now that began to show. Having closed up to the leader he surpassed that rival. There was no match for Blue Lakota now and he was getting stronger the further they went. Staying on well, Blue Lakota opened up to a 1 1/2 length advantage, putting in another impressive win.
Blue Lakota is thriving at the moment and it is great to see him showing his true colours now. He has put two impressive wins together now and there still looks more to come from him. Blue Lakota obviously doesn’t mind which track he runs at so more success could come on the artificial surface.