Misconnect Just Up to Take General George
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Mike Repole's Misconnect connected on the biggest win of his career when he ran down Cutty Shark in the final yards to take the $250,000 General George Handicap (gr. III) at Laurel Park by a neck Feb. 16.
Cutty Shark, who went off at 24-1 in the Monday feature, opened up on the field turning for home under Forest Boyce and appeared the winner until Misconnect, at 11-1, began to lengthen his stride under Kendrick Carmouche. Misconnect nailed Cutty Shark in deep stretch to notch his first stakes win.
The 4-year-old Unbridled's Song ridgling was cutting back in distance for the seven-furlong General George after faltering to finish fourth in the $100,000 Jazil Stakes at one mile and 70 yards at Aqueduct Racetrack Jan. 19.
"(Trainer Bruce) Levine had him ready, and this horse was ready to win," Carmouche said. "I rode here Saturday and (the track) was really dead. Usually at this track you can come from off the pace, but the track didn't have that bias today.
"Horses were winning from going wide and being close to the front. I had to keep him in contention. Coming down the stretch, I knew I could run (Cutty Shark) down."
The race unfolded as expected with Zee Bros, the starting highweight at 118 pounds, setting the pace through the first half-mile in a quick :46.87, with Cutty Shark in third and Misconnect in fifth within three lengths of the lead. Cutty Shark, carrying 114 pounds, made a strong, wide move to grab the lead turning for home from the tiring Zee Bros and quickly opened up by three lengths before he was run down late by Misconnect, who carried 116 pounds.
"My horse broke really well and I thought if I kept him close he would finish the last eighth of a mile and win," Carmouche said. "But I knew I had to keep him close. If you look at his races, he only wins from the sixteenth pole. If he's in contention, he will win, but if he's too far off, he won't make up the distance."
Longshot Souper Knight rallied from last in the field of 12 to get up for third. Bourbon Courage, sent off as the 2-1 favorite, never factored making his first start since finishing third in the $753,750 Cigar Mile (gr. I) at Aqueduct on Nov. 29.
Misconnect was bred in Kentucky by Alpha Delta Stables LLC. The gray ridgling was purchased at the 2013 Keeneland April 2-year-olds in training sale for $180,000 and now owns a record of 4-1-1 from nine career starts with earnings of $327,100.
Misconnect returned $24.40 to win, $11.20 to place, and $7.60 to show after running the seven furlongs in 1:24.67 on a fast track to give trainer Bruce Levine his second win in the General George. He saddled Bustin Stones to win the 2008 edition.
Cutty Shark paid $19.40 to place and $10.80 to show, while Souper Knight returned $12 to show.