Cash Control takes the Cardinal Handicap with a Closing Kick
Richard and Bert Klein’s Cash Control rated just behind longshot pacesetter Lots o’ Lex before unleashing a powerful closing kick in the stretch to easily win Saturday’s 43rd running of the $100,000 Cardinal Handicap (Grade III) at Churchill Downs by four lengths. Kitten’s Roar closed late to get second over Lots o’ Lex.
Cash Control, ran 1 1/8 miles over a firm Matt Winn Turf Course in 1:49.39 to earn her fourth career stakes win and second at Churchill Downs. This summer, she narrowly won the $100,000 Old Forester Mint Julep Handicap (GIII) by a head.
Shaun Bridgmohan rode the winner for trainer Brad Cox.
Lots o’ Lex led the field of 12 fillies and mares through early fractions of :24.56, :48.94 and 1:12.95 with Belle de Nuit (ARG) in close pursuit and Cash Control relaxing nicely in third on the outside under a snug hold by Bridgmohan. Cash Control drew closer to Lots o’ Lex around the turn and drew even with ease at the top of the stretch before putting the field away with three-sixteenths of a mile to the wire.
“Turning for home, obviously (Bridgmohan) had a ton of horse,” Cox said. “I was very proud of her. She was training great coming into this race and it was a big effort, very pleased with her. Did I expect her to win like that? No, but I’m sure glad that she did. Graded stakes are tough to win.”
“She’s got tactical speed and rated real nice, relaxed good and accelerated when I needed her to,” Bridgmohan said.
Cash Control, who was the 119-pound starting high weight along with Kitten’s Roar, paid $7, $3.80 and $2.80 as the 5-2 favorite. Kitten’s Roar, off at odds of 4-1 under Jon Court, returned $5.20 and $3.60. Lots o’ Lex, ridden by Eduardo Perez who toted 117 pounds at 24-1, paid $9.20.
The Tea Cups, Salama, Bitty Kitty, Heath, Belle de Nuit (ARG), Annulment, Christie’s Ready, Real Smart and Complete St. finalized the order of finish. Lady Fog Horn was scratched.
The Cardinal Handicap snapped a three-race losing streak for Cash Control, who banked $57,660 to improve her record to 19-9-4-2—$491,794. Prior to the Cardinal, Cash Control finished second as the favorite in both the Indiana General Assembly Distaff at Indiana Grand and the Ladies Turf at Kentucky Downs before she ran sixth of 10 behind Photo Call (IRE) and reigning female turf champion Tepin in the Grade I First Lady at Keeneland.
“She’s been doing very well,” Bridgmohan said. “Obviously the competition was a little bit stiffer last time in the Grade I at Keeneland but there’s nothing wrong with winning Grade IIIs with her.”
Cash Control is a daughter of Pioneerof the Nile out of the Mt. Livermore mare Hidden Assets and was bred in Kentucky by her owners.
One race earlier, Recount dug in gamely down the stretch to prevail by a head in a fierce battle with 8-5 favorite Holy Boss to win the ninth running of the $78,980 Bet On Sunshine Overnight Stakes. The 4-year-old Illinois-bred gelding, owned by Richard Templer’s Doubledown Stables Inc., ran six furlongs on a fast track in 1:09.45 under Chris Landeros for trainer Jimmy DiVito. The $47,078 first prize jumped Recount’s earnings to $437,397from nine wins in 23 starts. Seven of his wins have come against stakes company. Recount paid $17.20 to his backers for a $2 win bet.
Racing at Churchill Downs continues Sunday with a 10-race card that begins at 1 p.m. (all times Eastern). There’s a 15-day carryover of $132,242 in the 20-cent minimum Single 6 Jackpot, which covers Races 5-10 starting at 3 p.m.
Source: Churchill Downs