Eldaafer edges Indian Jones in Greenwood Cup

Last updated: 9/3/13 11:39 AM

Eldaafer (right) gamely held the sustained challenge of Indian Jones
(Equi-Photo)

Jim Atwell and Kevin Jacobsen’s Eldaafer rallied to the lead leaving the far
turn and battled to victory in the Grade 3, $200,000

Greenwood Cup, scoring over the muddy Labor Day track at Parx. The
eight-year-old gelding completed 1 1/2 miles in 2:33 3/5.

Sky Venture showed the way for more than a mile, opening a clear lead through
fractions of :24 1/5, :49 4/5, 1:15 4/5 and 1:41 2/5. Eldaafer settled into a
comfortable trip in fifth with jockey Ricardo Santana Jr., rating about five
lengths behind the pacesetter before launching his move along the inside on the
far turn.

The speed quit entering the stretch and Eldaafer quickly assumed command with
a quarter-mile remaining. But danger came in the form of Indian Jones, who
advanced quickly from last to reach even terms in midstretch.

Eldaafer had to earn it, determinedly finding more to the finish line, and
Indian Jones suffered little with the nose defeat. It was another 3 1/2 lengths
to third-placer Pool Play, who tried to go with the top pair before coming up
short in the final furlongs.

Suns Out Guns Out, Sky Venture, Charlie Bull and Chief Energy rounded out the
order of finish.

Conditioned by Diane Alvarado, Eldaafer became Thoroughbred racing’s newest
millionaire, increasing his bankroll to $1,031,835, and his record reads
46-13-3-7. The dark bay son of A.P. Indy paid $7 to win as the 5-2 favorite.

Bred by Shadwell Farm in Kentucky, Eldaafer was produced by Tabasco Cat mare
Habibti, who posted Grade 1 victories in the 2001 Del Mar Debutante and
Hollywood Starlet. This is the female family of 1995 Kentucky Oaks winner Gal in
a Ruckus.

A five-time stakes winner, Eldaafer’s affinity for longer distances is clear:
he captured the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Marathon and the 1 1/2-mile, Grade 2 Brooklyn
in 2009.

And we can expect to see the hard-knocking veteran in the
Breeders’ Cup Marathon for the fifth consecutive time in November.

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