Phipps Stable’s homebred Mr Speaker (Pulpit) saved ground while stalking the
pace in third to the far turn, swung out for the stretch drive and after
overhauling Legendary (Exceed and Excel) passing the eighth pole, edged away to
a 1 1/4-length decision in Saturday’s $250,000
Commonwealth Cup (G2) at Laurel Park.
Ridden by Jose Ortiz, the Shug McGaughey-trained four-year-old colt
registered his first stakes victory since winning the Belmont Derby (G1) in July
2014. Mr Speaker was off as the 2-1 second choice and completed 1 1/8 miles in
1:47.77 over the firm turf. Legendary easily held second over El Jefe Grande
(Silver Train), with 9-5 favorite Up With the Birds (Stormy Atlantic) checking
in fourth.
The Kentucky-bred Mr Speaker has now won four graded stakes from a 16-6-1-1
career record, earning $1,220,044.
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