International Turf Cup – Grade 3 – $200.000 Purse
PIM – For Three Year Olds And Upward
1 Mile – Turf
September 10, 2022

Ronaldo Chop (Night Rider Stables) won his first graded stakes race in twenty-four starts when he crossed the wire a length in front of the field of five in the International Turf Cup at PIM on Saturday.

Sin City Joker (Maxmillion Farm) came away fastest with Guardian (Nakamura Stables) a length and a half behind. Ronaldo Chop was third to his outside with Unicorn (Black N Gold Stables) and No Wonder (Nakamura Stables) bringing up the rear in the early going.

Under the wire for the first time, Sin City Joker extended his lead to two. Guardian held his position in second with Ronaldo Chop to his outside, and Unicorn on the rail. No Wonder was last but only five lengths off the lead.

The field headed into the backstretch, and Unicorn split horses to get up in third with Sin City Joker still on the lead and Guardian in second.

Midway on the backstretch, Sin City Joker ran unchallenged on the lead. Unicorn caught Guardian and moved into second. Ronaldo Chop picked up the pace a bit and No Wonder trailed by five.

On the turn, Ronaldo Chop drew alongside Guardian and Unicorn a length behind Sin City Joker. By the time they straightened out in the stretch, Ronaldo Chop led with Sin City Joker holding on to second by half a length from Guardian. Unicorn ran just behind them and No Wonder switched to the outside to make a run.

Ronaldo Chop led by a length and a quarter in the shadow of the wire with Guardian moving into second and Sin City Joker holding on in third. Guardian gave chase, cutting the lead to a length, but he couldn’t catch Ronaldo Chop who crossed the wire a length in front. Unicorn got up for third with No Wonder finishing fourth and Sin City Joker fading to last.

It was the first graded win for Ronaldo Chop. The five-year-old gelding by Stars And Bars out of Hill Gail (Risen Ruler) was bred in ON by owner Night Rider Stables. The win brings his career earnings to $214.000. Congratulations to Night Rider Stables and Ronaldo Chop!

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES