Aegon Turf Sprint

It was an Illusion (outside) who captured the Aegon (Lauren Pomeroy/Horsephotos.com) Enjoying a much better trip in his second American start for trainer Patrick Biancone, MAN OF ILLUSION (Aus) (Encosta de Lago) got up to capture Friday’s $100,000 Aegon Turf Sprint S. (G3) by a neck. Under a sustained drive by jockey Julien Leparoux, the bay finished five furlongs on the firm turf in :56 1/5 to record his first stakes victory. Man of Illusion tracked the early pace carved out by the dueling Western Kind (West Acre) and Lion Andthe Lamb (Lion Cavern), with the former a head in front through splits of :21 4/5 and :44 3/5. Into the stretch, Justice for Auston (Lit de Justice) ranged up to collar the leader and struck the front inside the final sixteenth, but the eventual winner was hot on his trail to the outside. Man of Illusion momentarily looked as though he might not get up in time, yet he kept finding more in the shadow of the wire to prevail. Justice for Auston was second by three-quarters of a length, with Atticus Kristy (Atticus) closing for third, one length to the good of defending Aegon champion Mighty Beau (Rainbow Prospect). With a lifetime mark of 10-6-1-1, Man of Illusion has now earned $116,862. He began his career in Australia, where he captured five of eight outings, but never tried stakes company. In his American debut, he was a troubled third in the Shakertown S. (G3) at Keeneland, overcoming a slow start as well as getting shuffled back on the backstretch to finish in the frame.

“I think the horse was much sharper today,” Biancone said. “The last time (in
the Shakertown), he had not run for a long time, and we didn’t know much about
him. He was a bit surprised to have a handler in the gate. They don’t have that
over there (in Australia). We ran him the last time to prepare for today. He
appropriately answered our questions today.”

Biancone also praised apprentice Leparoux’s winning ride.

“Beautiful,” Biancone said. “He’s very patient. Julien is riding like a guy
who rode for 10 years, and he’s only ridden for six months. I hope he keeps
improving. In two or three years, we’ll have a very, very good jockey.”

The 2-1 favorite, Man of Illusion returned $6.80, $4.80 and $3.40. Justice
for Auston, dismissed as the longest shot on the board at 38-1, yielded healthy
dividends of $30.80 and $12.80 while completing the $275.20 exacta. Atticus
Kristy gave back $3.20 as the 7-2 second choice, resulting in a trifecta worth
$1,192. With the 7-1 Mighty Beau in fourth, the 9-8-5-12 superfecta totaled
$6,235.

Western Kind wound up fifth, trailed by Geronimo (Chi) (Gold Tribute), The
Nth Degree (Distorted Humor), Rockhurst (Pembroke), Sgt. Bert (Confide), Parker
Run (Glitterman), Social Probation (Jules) and Lion Andthe Lamb.

Man of Illusion is co-owned by his breeder, D H K Investments, along with A.
C. Cotter, R. Goldbloom et al. Out of Raunchy Ruler (Rancho Ruler), he is a
half-brother to Really Good (Revoque), a multiple stakes winner in Singapore.
His granddam, Lady Lindlum (Capital Asset), was Group 2-placed in Australia.

Biancone has penciled in the May 28 Jaipur S. (G3) at Belmont as Man of
Illusion’s next objective.