5/2/09
Last updated: 5/1/09 2:29 PM
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Chamberlain Bridge split horses to score
(EquiSport Photos) |
Carl R. Moore Management’s CHAMBERLAIN BRIDGE (War Chant), pressured through
the lane by Cannonball (Catienus), simultaneously held off that rival and wore
down Smart Enough (Horse Chestnut [SAf]) to notch the $112,800
Aegon Turf Sprint S. (G3) at Churchill Downs, which kicked off the stakes
action on Friday’s Kentucky Oaks (G1) program. Under Garrett Gomez, Chamberlain
Bridge prevailed by a neck over the good Matt Winn turf course in a time of :57
for five furlongs. The 9-5 favorite, Chamberlain Bridge improved his Churchill
grass record to three-for-three and returned $5.60, $3.20 and $2.60. He led
exotic payoffs of $19 (exacta), $42.60 (trifecta) and $148.40 (6-7-2-5
superfecta).
Cannonball, the co-second choice at 3-1, was bumped at the start and got
within a half-length of Chamberlain Bridge by the time the pair reached the
quarter-pole, but couldn’t get by that rival after a strong outside rally. He
gave back $3.80 and $2.80. Smart Enough, also at 3-1, tracked in second behind
Jazz Nation (City Zip) as that rival zipped an opening quarter-mile in :22 1/5,
then took control with an inside bid turning for home. Up 2 1/2 lengths after a
half-mile in :44 4/5, the Grade 3 veteran did not have enough left in the tank
through the final furlong. Smart Enough paid $2.60 to show while finishing 1 1/4
lengths clear of his nearest rival.
The superfecta was capped by Due Date (El Prado [Ire]), who bumped the winner
after the start. He was followed under the line by Captivating Cat (Storm Cat),
Chitoz (Forest Wildcat) and Jazz Nation. Hewitts (Concerto) and Accredit (E
Dubai) were withdrawn.
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Though the Aegon Turf Sprint marks the first victory for Chamberlain Bridge
in graded company, the five-year-old gelding had already established himself as
one of the region’s better turf sprinters with a score in last year’s Woodford
S. at Keeneland and placings in three other stakes. Chamberlain Bridge kicked
off his 2009 campaign with a three-length romp in the Colonel Power S. over the
Fair Grounds turf, was unplaced as the odds-on choice in a stakes at Tampa Bay
Downs, and most recently was caught near the wire when third by a neck in the
Shakertown S. (G3) at Keeneland. His record now stands at 18-9-2-5, $395,469.
Trained by Bret Calhoun and bred in Kentucky by Eugene Melnyk, Chamberlain
Bridge is the only stakes winner produced thus far from the Trempolino mare
She’s Got Class, who is also the dam of an unnamed yearling colt by Awesome
Again. This family has also produced multiple Grade 1 queen Take Charge Lady
(Dehere).
