The Fool Handicap (Grade 3)- $175.000 Purse
AQU- For Four Year Olds and Upward
Six Furlongs on the Dirt
February 28, 2026
Acber Farms continued his hot start to 2026 in the Fool Handicap, as his five-year-old gelding, Superbush, grabs a hard-fought victory at the wire with Cherokee Revolution, who was by his side the whole way. This was not a surprise, as he was our pick to win and also went off as the post time favorite at an approximate 3/1 price. Superbush now has four wins in his last seven starts, and all of the races that he did not win could have gone his way as well with a little more luck at the wire. For Acber Farms, this is first win in The Fool Handicap, and the same is true for jockey J Lezcano. Congratulations to them! The winning race time was 1:08.62, which is one of the quicker such times. Here’s a look at it:
(1/4 Mile- :22.08)- Valyrian Needle isn’t messing around, jumping out of the gate to the lead for Mb Stables in a quick opening quarter. Right behind him, our eventual winner from Acber Farms, Superbush, as well as Royalty Stables’ Cherokee Revolution are about as close to one another now as they will end up being at the wire. Behind them, Glee is fourth on the outside for Night Rider Stables, with Maxmillion Farm’s Opera running on the rail. A length behind them, it’s the high weight for the race, Noblepark’s Aggravated Jung with Link Wray (South Shore Stables) to his outside, and Waterville (Luz International) within a length on the rail. They’re followed by Deviations (TwinTowersRacing), and the two trailers are Kinnard (Maxmillion Farm) and Red Vino (The Sidley Stud).
(½ Mile- :45.00, Top of Stretch, 1.8F To Go)- Valyrian Needle will maintain his lead while round the far turn, but his plans of going wire to wire are in jeopardy as they hit the top of the stretch. Both Superbush and Cherokee Revolution are getting closer and preparing to go on by to his outside. These two have had very little separating them since they opened the gates and are looking to settle it between themselves. Opera is fourth, and still running near this group but has not made a move to get by any of them. Glee has lost ground in fifth, while Link Wray, Aggravated Jung, and Waterville still run in the middle of the field and need to get moving soon if they want a shot at a win. Deviations and Kinnard were well behind, and Red Vino was done.
(Finish- 1:08.62)- Valyrian Needle didn’t just roll over, but early in the stretch Superbush pulled right up alongside him. Briefly, he was a half length ahead of Cherokee Revolution as that one had a wider trip. In the final furlong, Superbush looked to hold on, but Cherokee Revolution was not giving in and made it very close at the wire. The photo would show that the race ended just in time for Superbush, securing the win. Cherokee Revolution did not do anything wrong in his runner up. Valyrian Needle was a half a length behind them in third. Opera gets the fourth place check, with Link Wray, Deviations, and Kinnard all within a half length of him. Glee is next, followed by a weighted down Aggravated Jung, Waterville, and Red Vino.
About the Winner- Superbush, trained by Acber Farms and ridden to victory by J Lezcano, is a five year old gelding by Supercomplication and is out of Bush Falls. He was bred in Kentucky by Team 7 Illusions as a second quarter two year old and was acquired by Acber Farms, via Mb Stables, in the December 2024 auction for $4.930. Congratulations to the connections! The win is his eighth in 21 starts, his second stake win and first graded win. His career earnings are now $462.800.
— NS
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES