Stayers' Watch: Fort Harrod Stakes · 16.04.09

Last Friday saw the second running of the Fort Harrod Stakes at Keeneland. The 1 5/8 mile test, a supporting feature of the G1 Maker’s Mark Mile, attracted a field of eight older horses, none of whom had ever won a stakes race, with the exception of Chilean import Kurbat who captured a Grade 1 race in his home country before being imported to the United States. Rocket Legs had won a stayers’ race at Kentucky Downs in 2007, but showed nothing in last years’ Tokyo City Handicap.

At the end of the day, jockey Kent Desormeaux had scored a double of sorts, piloting Mr. Sidney to a win in the Maker’s Mark after guiding Gangbuster to victory in the $100,000 Fort Harrod. Gangbuster, a moderate longshot who had competed for claiming tags in his four previous starts, finished 10 3/4 lengths ahead of Kurbat after rallying from far off the pace. Lord Kipling was another four lengths behind in third. Gangbuster finished the 1 5/8 miles in 2:44.02 over Keeneland’s Polytrack main course, and paid $34.20.

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