The LRL Turf Cup (Grade 2)- $200.000 Purse
LRL- For Three Year Olds and Upward
One Mile on the Turf
September 24, 2016

It had been ten years since the last time the LRL Turf Cup was contested in our virtual world, and it returned this time with a graded designation.  The race seemed to be pretty wide open, and picking up the victory was Friday Thirteenth.  We didn’t put him on top, but he was amongst our picks, with the primary concern being why the trainer seemed to take a step back with him after he was in good form in a couple of graded events over the spring.  After all, Australia Wide, is a legendary trainer in this game and obviously knows which way a horse is trending.  If it was simply a reboot of confidence that was needed, then that was received, and Friday Thirteenth picks up the second Grade 2 win of his career. Aboard the race winner was H A Karamanos, and the race was won in a time of 1:32.80. Congratulations to the winners! Let’s look a little more at the result!

1st- 2- Friday Thirteenth (6/1)- Our eventual winner from Australia Wide started conservatively out of the gate, letting the frontrunners do their thing.  Around the opening turn, he was mainly running with Prince Hal and Pump Action SHotgum, four lengths out, and in seventh place.  Did not advance all that much in the backstretch as H A Karamanos seemed to be sizing up which lane would be the best to take.  Looked to move around the outside of Heart Pocket Jeans in the final turn, but that one closed up the lane rather quickly.  Thankfully for the winner, Try Me Bro was extremely courteous at this point and politely moved down a little more, even though that took him directly behind General White. Friday Thirteenth was happy to take this lane.  At the top of the stretch, they were six wide battling for third with Friday Thirteenth right in the middle and having the best forward stride of the back.   There was still a length and a half to make up on General White, as well as Pump Action Shotgun, the latter of which was also in great stride.  In the stretch, Friday Thirteenth was the strongest of them all, digging in, and making up the distance necessary to get up just in time for the win! The time again was 1:32.80.  Friday Thirteenth is a three year old gelding by Jeepers Creepers (Chai Latte/Charley Farley) and out of Jeepers Creepers (Swarley).  He was bred in Texas by Australia Wide as a fourth quarter two year old, and they have been together throughout.  Congratulations to the connections!

2nd- 9- Pump Action Shotgun (2/1)- The post time favorite from Maxmillion Farm had a smooth start from his outside post position.  Never challenged the leaders, but seemed to have a good spot on the track about three and a half back into the backstretch.  Maintained his position on the track around the turn, gaining on General White, and really seemed poised to take over the race as they moved into the stretch.  Ran five wide around the final turn, and caught General White with a little over a furlong to go.  Unfortunately for him, Friday Thirteenth was coming on strong.  Fought General White hard, and prevailed over him, but the late kick of the eventual winner proved to be too much.

3rd- 6- General White (9/1)- The Eastern Equine entry got off to a good start, and had visions of getting up on the lead early before letting Indian Chief have at it midway through the turn.  Gradually cut into the lead over the backstretch, and would take over the top spot within the final turn, though there was pressure from behind.  Handled the turn in a strong manner, and at the top of the stretch he had begun to inch away from everyone except Pump Action Shotgun, who seemed to be his biggest threat at this stage until Friday Thirteenth began to his best stride. Tried to hang in there, but once Friday Thirteenth got alongside, he had no more fight him and salvages a third place check for the trainer and a third place BC Stallion Bonus for the writer.

4th- 3- Prince Hal (4/1)- The Boomtown Prince started near the rear of the field, and would be five lengths out as they moved into the backstretch.  Began to size up his move at the top of the turn, and would look to about four wide to pick off some positions at this time.  At the top of the stretch, there were six of them battling for third all together, and Prince Hal was forced to take the outermost lane of that group. He ran hard at this point, but the trip got the better of him as he settles for a decent result.

5th- 8- Hes Juiced Up (10/1)- Our entry from Joshua Stables had no interest at all in the early pace, and went promptly to the back of the field.  Once stabilizing, he would have six lengths to make up.  Did not begin to advance around the same time as others, and midway through the turn, he was five lengths out, and others he had been running near started to leave him behind.  With horses six wide in front of him, he picked the lane General White had gone through, and picked off a couple spots.  Can’t call it an emphatic closing job, though.

6th- 1- Lightning Bolt (138/1)- The longest shot on the board from Blushing Meadows got off to an average and uneventful start along the rail, running midpack early.  Remained in this spot most of the way before needed to come off the rail in order to get by Indian Chief.  Once in the stretch, his race remained pretty uneventful.  Did not have a stretch response to battle the leaders, but hung in there with the pack.

7th- 4- Try Me Bro (6/1)- Started fairly well for Joseph Racing.  Didn’t necessarily burst out of the gate like a couple of the others, but was happy to tuck himself into the fourth position around the opening turn.  Steady on the backstretch, and looked to follow General White through along the turn, but did not have the same kick in his stride.  When a bunch of them got together at the top of the stretch, Try Me Bro was tried and beaten.

8th- 5- Heart Pocket Jeans (5/1)- It was a quick start for the entry from Yahudi Stables, battling for the lead initially out of the gate before assuming a stalking position about a length back. Appeared to want to make an advance at the same time as General White, but could not make it stick.  He would fizzle out in the stretch, particularly late.

9th- 7- Indian Chief (31/1)– Started better then he would finish for Scorpion Stables, jumping out to the early lead, setting the opening quarter in :23.01, and half in :45.94.  Still seemed to be in decent shape on the backstretch and around the turn.  Didn’t seem as though he would drop all the way to last until the top of the stretch.

Track: Firm
Time: :23   :45⁴  1:09¹  1:32⁴

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 2 – 9 Paid 56.30
$1 Trifecta: 2 – 9 – 6 Paid 811.80

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES