It looks like Under Who’s Radar could be on track to win the $897,500 Juvenile Sprint race at Kentucky Downs September 1, but a sudden change in the sixteenth pole forced a quick closure Chasing Freedom Changing the route will change the original finishing order.
The race result was handed to the stewards. After 10 minutes of deliberation, Under Who’s Radar was disqualified for interference and the crown was awarded to the favorite Chasing Liberty, to the cheers of his supporters, who would receive a $46.76 payout for a $2 winning bet.
“I feel bad for those relationships,” said jockey Jose Ortiz of Under Who’s Radar. “They work day in and day out with these horses. It’s not easy to win a race worth millions of dollars; it’s heartbreaking to lose.”
Ortiz 2 years old Violence The colt was tested from the start, under pressure as he clocked :22.03 and :45.20 during the early stages of the 6 1/2 furlong race.
Florent Geroux on Chasing Liberty broke away from the leaders but kept up the pace. Stretching out further into the stretch, the son of Structure advancing with every step. At the sixteenth post, there was a slight bend in the track, and Under Who’s Radar suddenly jerked sharply to the right, forcing Geroux to change course. The two never made contact, and once back on the straight, Chasing Liberty resumed its attack but was unable to keep up as Under Who’s Radar finished in 1:15.65. Reach for the rose third prize
“My horse had a really nice move,” Geroux said. “I had to hold on. It was hard to know if I was going to beat him or not. I had a lot of momentum at that point.”
“My horse was spooked by something inside,” Ortiz said. “They had a lot of signs and golf carts (inside the track). These were babies.”
The homebred has put Twin Creeks Racing Stable and trainer Rob Atras in the winner’s circle. They are confident the colt is ready for the stakes challenge following his maiden win in his first test on July 28 at Ellis Park.
“I was really proud of the way the horse ran,” Atras said. “I thought he was the winner when he came back to the finish. (Geroux) did really well. That horse came through and he got him out of the danger zone and came back strong.”
Twin Creeks raced the Grade 1 winning stallion Constitution in partnership with WinStar Farm, who bred the stallion this year for a fee of $110,000. Twin Creeks also raced the stallion of the winning stallion Chasing Liberty, which was placed in the stakes. Declaration of war mare Peace .
“We think (Chasing Liberty) is the kind of horse you can bring to Kentucky Downs and run as a 2-year-old,” said Twin Creeks Racing’s Randy Gullatt. “That’s our goal, just getting here is our goal. When a plan like that works out—we’re here to make that shot—it’s a good accomplishment.”
Video: Sprint S National Junior Thoroughbred Championship. (BT)
Geroux rides Goliad to victory
Geroux also found success in a previous race riding Perry and Ramona Bass Goliad to win the $481,200 Sticker Mule Overnight Handicap. The Richard Mandella trainee won the Thunder Road (G3T) on February 3 at Santa Anita Park before a pair finished off the board in 1st place.
Goliad completed the mile in 1:33.12, winning by three-quarters of a length. Noise Cancellation . Cash on Equity third place
