Horse Racing News is the source of thoroughbred racing information with horse racing odds, betting tips, racing picks, race results, and handicapping. Latest news and articles on top horse racing contenders, jockeys, trainers, three-year-olds, race tracks, and major stakes races such as the Triple Crown races: the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes as well as the Breeders' Cup horse races.Breeders’ Cup Challenge Results: Eaton’s Gift Wins Smile Sprint Handicap at Calder Race Course
Posted on Saturday, July 11th, 2009
Zayat Stables’ 4-year-old Kentucky-bred colt Eaton’s Gift defeated the defending Eclipse Award sprint champion Benny the Bull in Saturday’s $350,000 Smile Sprint Handicap (G2) at Calder Race Course‘s Summit of Speed July 11.
Ridden by jockey Jose Lezcano, Eaton’s Gift raced just off the early pace set by the front running Ikigai in the 6-furlong Smile Sprint Handicap.
He gained command at the quarter pole and held off the expected late run of Benny the Bull, the 1-to-9 favorite, who gave his typical strong run down the stretch but fell short of getting to the wire before Eaton’s Gift. It was a length back to Processor’s Turf in third place.
“My horse has a lot of early speed and we broke sharp and sat close to a fast pace,” said jockey Jose Lezcano. “When I saw how fast the other horse (Ikigai) was going, I just took back a little bit and that put us in perfect position. I didn’t want to be going head to head with him like that. I think the speed was holding today and that gave us an edge over Benny the Bull.”
Eaton’s Gift covered the 6 furlongs in 1:11.25 and paid $31.20, $6.00 and $4.40. Benny the Bull, the shortest price favorite of the day, returned $2.10 and $2.10, and Processor’s Turf paid $6.00 to show.
The Smile Sprint Handicap is part of the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” Challenge where the winner, Eaton’s Gift, automatically qualifies for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint on November at Santa Anita Park.
How’s Your Halo finished fourth in Calder’s Smile Sprint Handicap followed by Ikigai and Yesbyjimminy.
Horse racing news edited from www.calderracecourse.com.
"Breeders’ Cup Challenge Results: Eaton’s Gift Wins Smile Sprint Handicap at Calder Race Course" was posted on Saturday, July 11th, 2009 at 10:55 pm and is filed under Calder Race Course, Horse Racing Industry, Horses, Race Tracks News, Results & Payouts, Stakes Races, USA Horse Racing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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