Churchill Downs: Sugoi leads whole way in Louisville Stakes
The recent $50,000 claim of Sugoi for owners Paradise Farms Corporation and David Staudacher paid immediate dividends when he took a field of nine turf marathoners gate to wire in Saturday night’s 87th running of the Grad3 3, $241,250 Louisville Stakes at Churchill Downs.
Trained by Mike Maker, Sugoi covered 1 1/2 miles in 2:30.37 under jockey Julien Leparoux.
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It was a brief scramble out of the gate to make the front, but after a first quarter-mile of 25.63 seconds, Sugoi made an uncontested lead. Leparoux carefully rationed Sugoi’s speed through a moderate half-mile time of 50.25 seconds and six-furlong clocking of 1:15.81.
While Sugoi comfortably rated on the front end, heavy 2-5 favorite Bold Act was forced four wide on the first turn and three wide on the second. As the field turned for home, Sugoi was able to dig in on the lead while opening a half-length margin over Strong Tide and Bold Act, who raced second and third, respectively.
In deep stretch, Sugoi kept finding more on the lead and was able to hold off the charge of Strong Tide and late-closing kick of The Grey Wizard for a 1 1/4-length victory.
“I’ve wanted to claim (Sugoi) this winter at Turfway, but I was out-shook on him,” Maker said. “I knew he was a talented horse, and I was looking forward to having him do what he did tonight, rate on the front end of a turf marathon. This race opens the door to several options including the July 20 United Nations (G2 at Monmouth Park), and he’s still eligible for the Claiming Crown.”
Sugoi rewarded his backers by paying $2 mutuel returns of $41.50, $13.76 and $9.26. Strong Tide, sent off at odds of 40-1 under jockey Manny Esquivel, returned $26.46 and $14.90. The Grey Wizard, ridden by James Graham, paid $6.54.ld Act finished a half-length behind The Grey Wizard and was followed by Utah Beach, King Curlin, Reckoning Force, Quadra Island and Guntown.
The Louisville was Sugoi’s 10th victory from 27 starts. The gelded, 7-year-old son of Karakontie has banked purse earnings of $577,433.