Turbo Compressor Steals Colonial Turf Cup

Turbo Compressor proved once again that speed can be dangerous. The 4-year-old Halo's Image ridgling, who makes it a habit of being in front, got out to a narrow lead in the $500,000 Colonial Turf Cup Stakes at Colonial Downs and held it to the end under jockey Joe Bravo.

Despite the appearances of last year’s respective winner and runner-up, Rahystrada and Smart Bid, Turbo Compressor was favored at 5-2. Turbo Compressor set moderate fractions of :24.34,  :49.78, and 1:14.35 in the 1 3/16-mile race over firm turf while chased by Humble and Hungry.  After the latter weakened, Rahystrada and Smart Bid, along with 3-1 second choice Air Support, joined the chase in the stretch but proved no match for Turbo Compressor, who opened up by 2 1/2 lengths and finished 1 1/4 lengths in front of Air Support. Rahystrada and Smart Bid finished just behind behind the runner-up.

Turbo Compressor’s time, 1:55.15, was about a half second slower than last’s year’s clocking of 1:54.68 over a firm turf course.