Rated R Superstar rallies to 14-1 upset in Oaklawn's Essex Handicap

Known to cash a check, Rated R Superstar continued to pay out Saturday at Oaklawn Park, rallying to a 14-1 upset in Saturday’s $350,000 Essex Handicap. The last-to-first victory followed his third-place finish in the Razorback Handicap (G3), in which the the 6-year-old gelding was off at 79-1.

Trainer Cipriano Contreras hopes to defy the odds again in the April 13 Oaklawn Handicap (G2).

“That’s the plan,” he said. “We’ll see what happens, you know.”

The Essex was the third time Contreras started Rated R Superstar. Crystal Racing Enterprises and Contreras Stable Inc. picked him up for a $62,500 tag when he was fifth in a Nov. 22 optional claiming event at Churchill Downs with trainer Kenny McPeek.

Dalmore set the pace over Nanoosh, ticking off fractions in 23.27 and 47.33. Nanoosh briefly stuck his head in front before turning for home, then Giant Expectations and Snapper Sinclair took over in the stretch. 

Jockey Walter De La Cruz asked Rated R Superstar to go when approaching the final bend and the son of Kodiak Kowboy circled the field before charging down the middle of the stretch. He got his head in front of Snapper Sinclair to finish the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.66.

Giant Expectations was three-quarters of a length behind Snapper Sinclair and Nanoosh was another half-length back in fourth.

The Essex was the first win in 11 months for Rated R Superstar, who last saw the winner’s circle in Keeneland’s Ben Ali Stakes (G3). He was off the board in his next seven starts before the Feb. 18 Razorback.

“We were kind of holding our fingers crossed and hoping he made it first to the wire,” Contreras said. “He had a good trip. He was doing good. We took a shot at it and it kind of worked out.”

Rated R Superstar improved his race record to 33: 6-5-6 and increased his earnings to $780,767.