Stayers' Watch: Hollywood Turf Cup · 20.11.11
Sanagas has moved up in class from restricted stakes to Grade I company in the space of a few months. After winning the John’s Call at Saratoga in August, he was fourth in the Bowling Green Handicap (Gr. IIT), and then won the Grade III Sycamore Stakes at Keeneland in October. Yesterday the five-year-old German gelding took the Hollywood Turf Cup (Gr. IT) by a comfortable 3 1/2 lengths, establishing himself as one of the top long-distance turf horses in North America.
Sanagas stalked a slow pace set by Miss Match, lying third behind her and Novsky for the first mile. He was urged to the lead as the field approached the final turn, kicked clear by two lengths at the quarter pole, and cruised to the wire under a hand ride. Last year’s Unofficial Champion Stayer Bourbon Bay, well back in sixth place for most of the race, rallied well in the late stages for second, while Falcon Rock took third. Time for 1 1/2 miles on the firm Hollywood Park turf: 2:27.53.
Trainer Graham Motion later told the Daily Racing Form that Sanagas would be given the winter off. According to Motion, the horse will be brought back in the spring and aimed for the major 2012 turf marathons. Based on his performances this year, those races should suit him very well.
Champion Stayer Award standings — update:
- Sanagas — 18
- Bourbon Bay — 14
- Birdrun — 12
- Juniper Pass — 12
- Winchester — 12
- Musketier — 12
- St Nicholas Abbey — 10
- Ruler On Ice — 10
- Sarah Lynx — 10
- Cape Blanco — 10
- Wigmore Hall — 10
- Imponente Purse — 10
- Rahy’s Attorney — 10
- Falcon Rock — 10
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