Pure Sensation dominates in Parx Dash title defense

Pure Sensation improved his Parx Racing turf course mark to three-for-three on Saturday with a dominating title defense of the $200,000 Parx Dash (G3).

The 11-10 favorite in a field of 10 turf sprinters, Pure Sensation forced the pace of early leader Bold Thunder, took after from that rival at the top of the lane, and drew off to win by 5 3/4 lengths under Kendrick Carmouche.

A homebred racing for Patricia Generazio and trained by Christophe Clement, Pure Sensation paid $4.20 after completing five furlongs on good ground in :57.24.

The next five across the wire were separated by three-quarters of a length, with former Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1) winner Mongolian Saturday edging Bold Thunder by a neck for second.

Winner of the Parx Dash last year following a course-record setting score in the Jaipur (G3) at Belmont, Pure Sensation went on to capture the $150,000 Belmont Turf Sprint and the finished third by a length in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita.

A late withdrawal from the Hong Kong Sprint (G1) at Sha Tin in December due to infirmities despite having made the trip to the Far East, Pure Sensation returned to action on Kentucky Derby Day running fourth as the favorite in the Twin Spires Turf Sprint (G3) on softish ground. He occupied the same slot in his title defense of the June 10 Jaipur after setting the pace.

Also winner of the 2015 Turf Monster H. (G3) over the Parx turf, Pure Sensation now boasts a record of 22-8-4-3, $1,073,540. Foaled in Florida, he's a six-year-old gelding by Zensational and out of the multiple stakes-winning Disco Rico mare Pure Disco.