Snapper Sinclair‘s last two races on turf hadn’t been good, but his placement in Saturday’s $749,000 Tourist Mile at Kentucky Downs made a world of sense.
Nearly two years after prevailing in the 2017 Kentucky Downs Juvenile, the son of City Zip made it two-for-two over the all-turf track in Franklin, Kentucky, with a swooping rally under Julien Leparoux.
Near the rear of the field after six furlongs, Snapper Sinclair came home strongly on the outside to catch long-time leader Real Story in the final strides. The winning margin was a half-length, with Snapper Sinclair covering the distance on firm ground in 1:37.95.
“We were pretty close to the pace but around the turn we got shuffled back a bit,” Leparoux said. “He loves the track. He traveled very nice for me. When I got him outside he finished up very strong for me. This track you have to have the horse to love it, and he does.”
Owned by Bloom Racing Stable and trained by Steve Asmussen, Snapper Sinclair paid $22.80. Real Story won a three-way photo for second by a neck over First Premio, with 5-2 favorite Hembree another neck behind in fourth.
Although he had won his first two starts on grass, Snapper Sinclair finished up the track in his next two attempts on the surface, running 12th in the 2017 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) and eighth in an allowance sprint at Keeneland last October.
A multiple allowance winner on the main track, Snapper Sinclair had taken various stabs in Listed and graded stakes over the past couple of seasons. Among his near-misses were the 2018 Risen Star (G2) and the $350,000 Essex H. in March, with additional placings in the Lecomte (G3) and West Virginia Governor’s (G3).
“Snapper Sinclair started it all off for us at Kentucky Downs,” owner Jeff Bloom said. “He’s such a deserving horse. He’s had some trips where he arguably could have been the winner, but he did it today. If you look at his resume, he’s been so versatile, run against some of the best horses in the country. You like to see these kind of horses get their day in the sun, and he definitely got it today.”
The four-year-old has now earned $1,040,405, over 60 percent of which was earned in the two Kentucky Downs stakes wins. His record now stands at 18-5-3-2.
By City Zip, Snapper Sinclair was produced by the Grade 2-placed True Addiction, by Yes It’s True. He was bred in Kentucky by K & G Stables.
Favorites did not fare well either in Kentucky Downs’ leading juvenile races, but both were won in convincing fashion.
Jezebel’s Kitten‘s performance came first in the $494,000 Kentucky Downs Juvenile Fillies. The daughter of Kitten’s Joy opened up in the stretch and won for fun by 4 3/4 lengths over Ask Bailey, who had a half-length on Battleofwinterfell. Fly So Pretty, the 2-1 favorite, finished sixth in the field of 12.
Owned by Ilium Stables and trained by Brax Cox, Jezebel’s Kittem paid $10.40 after completing one mile in 1:40.06.
In contrast to her wire-to-wire debut win at Ellis Park on August 10, in which she held on by a diminishing head, Jezebel’s Kitten showed more versatility on Saturday, making up a seven-length deficit under Florent Geroux.
Bred in Kentucky by Ken and Sarah Ramsey and a $40,000 Keeneland September buy, Jezebel’s Kitten is the first foal produced from the winning Truc’s Love, by Not for Love.
In the $500,000 Kentucky Downs Juvenile, Peace Achieved was always prominent, took over in upper stretch and extended his winning margin to 2 1/2 lengths under Miguel Mena.
Owned by JSM Equine and trained by Mark Casse, Peace Achieved paid $12 after completing one mile in 1:40.39. Fenwick Station was second best by 1 1/2 lengths over Longclaw, with 8-5 favorite Are You Kitten Me last of 11.
Third and seventh in a pair of turf sprint attempts at Churchill Downs to start his career, Peace Achieved entered Saturday’s test off a 6 3/4-length maiden score at Ellis Park over one mile.
Bred in Kentucky by Rhinestone Bloodstock and a $160,000 Keeneland September purchase, Peace Achieved is by Declaration of War and out of Sense of Class, by Fusaichi Pegasus.
