Night Ops Earns First Graded Win in Cornhusker
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Photo: Coady Photography
Night Ops takes the Cornhusker at Prairie Meadows
Steve Landers Racing's Essex Handicap winner Night Ops landed his first graded stakes July 5 in the $100,000 Cornhusker Handicap (G3) going 1 1/8 miles at Prairie Meadows.
Trained by Brad Cox, Night Ops came into Sunday's test for 3-year-olds and up off an unplaced effort in the Oaklawn Handicap (G2). Prior to that run, the son of Warrior's Reward had won two straight at Oaklawn Park, including the March 14 Essex at 1 1/16 miles. He was third in his 4-year-old debut—the Jan. 25 Fifth Season at the Arkansas track.
In Sunday's test, Dunph shot out of the gate from the outside post and raced for the lead, but although he was able to cross over toward the rail in front of the field, it was My Sixth Sense, who held the inside post, that kept him off the rail. The two battled for a bit, but My Sixth Sense won the race through the first quarter-mile in :23.84. Night Ops settled in third under jockey Martin Garcia, stalking behind the slow pace.
As the half-mile went in :48.47, My Sixth Sense continued to hold off Dunph to his outside and Night Ops continued to bide his time under the guidance of Garcia.
As the field made their way around the far turn, Night Ops moved up along the outside and Rated R Superstar made a move on the inside. It looked as if My Sixth Sense may fight on to hold his lead, but once they straightened out in the stretch run Night Ops was able to gallop past the leader and he hit the wire in a final time of 1:48.30 over the fast track, winning by 3 3/4 lengths.
My Sixth Sense held for second, while Rated R Superstar finished 7 3/4 lengths in front of Dunph for third.
After finishing eighth in his 3-year-old debut in last year's Lecomte Stakes (G3) for Big Chief Racing and trainer Keith Desormeaux, Night Ops changed hands and returned to break his maiden in his seventh start by six lengths for his current connections.
He showed an affinity for Oaklawn Park, finishing second in the Oaklawn Invitational next out, and then he won an allowance-level test at Churchill Downs. He finished fifth in the Iowa Derby, but then returned to place third in an Ellis Park stakes, and after finishing fourth at Keeneland he took another allowance optional claiming race at Churchill.
Bred by Aschinger Bloodstock Holdings in Kentucky, Night Ops is the first stakes winner out of the Kitalpha mare Bear All. The colt was purchased for $5,000 by Big Chief Racing from the War Horse Place consignment to The October Sale, Fasig-Tipton's fall yearling sale in Kentucky.
Night Ops improved his record to 6-3-2 from 18 starts and boosted his earnings to $614,956.