HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla.- Cairo Prince took the lead entering the stretch and pulled away to beat Conquest Titan by 5¾ lengths Saturday in the $400,000 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
The Grade II race is an early prep for the Florida Derby on March 29 and Kentucky Derby on May 3.
Cairo Prince, ridden by Luis Saez, won for the third time in four career starts, adding to his status as a top 3-year-old.
Cairo Prince ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.16 on a track listed as fast, and paid $6.20, $4.40 and $3.20. Intense Holiday was third, a half-length behind Conquest Titan. Almost Famous, ridden by Calvin Borel, finished fourth for trainer Patrick Byrne, after taking the lead on the far turn.
Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said he expects Cairo Prince’s next race will be the Grade II Fountain of Youth on Feb. 22 or the Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 29. Both races will be 1 1/8 miles at Gulfstream.
In the co-feature, Onlyforyou remained unbeaten in three career starts, beating Aurelia’s Belle by 2¾ lengths in the $200,000 Forward Gal for 3-year-old fillies.
SANTA ANITA California Chrome wins
ARCADIA, Calif. - California Chrome won the $250,000 California Cup Derby by 5½ lengths at Santa Anita on Saturday, one of six stakes on the card.
Ridden by Victor Espinoza, California Chrome ran 1 1/16miles in 1:43.22 and paid $7, $3.80 and $3.20 as the 5-2 second choice in the field of 10.
In the $250,000 Cal Cup Turf Classic, Weewinnin won by 2¼ lengths under Joe Talamo. The 21-1 shot ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:46 and paid $44.80, $22 and $10.40.
In the $200,000 Cal Cup Oaks for state-bred 3-yearold fillies, 65-1 shot Susans Express won by 1¼ lengths in her first race on the turf. Ridden by Kent Desormeaux, Susans Express ran a mile in 1:34.72 and paid $132.40, $44.20 and $20.60.
In the $200,000 Santa Monica Stakes, Scherzinger rallied to win the 7-furlong race by a length under Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith for trainer and co-owner Jerry Hollendorfer.
Sports, Pages 30 on 01/26/2014