United Registers a Frontrunning Win in the John Henry
Image:
Description:
Photo: Benoit Photo
United and jockey Flavien Prat win the John Henry Turf Championship at Santa Anita Park
After United notched an eye-opening win in his final prep for a return trip to the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1), trainer Richard Mandella may have raised some eyebrows in commenting on what will happen Nov. 7 at Keeneland.
"We're going to blow their tires off," Mandella said.
Even if the Hall of Fame trainer was speaking in a light-hearted tone, LNJ Foxwoods' United is surely heading into the World Championships in outstanding form as evidenced by the gelding's easy 1 1/2-length frontrunning victory in the $201,000 John Henry Turf Championship Stakes (G2T) Sept. 26 at Santa Anita Park.
The victory continued a string of stellar performances by United, who ran rather well at 51-1 odds in last year's Turf, finishing second, a head behind Horse of the Year Bricks and Mortar.
In his past seven starts, a collection of races that began with the 2019 Turf, United has not finished worse than second and has notched four grade 2 wins on turf, including wins by the California-based runner in the Eddie Read Stakes (G2T), Charles Whittingham Stakes (G2T), and San Marcos Stakes (G2T).
The John Henry was the son of Giant's Causeway's fourth win in his past five starts, with the lone loss coming by a head in the Del Mar Handicap Presented by the Japan Racing Association (G2T).
"He just continues to show what a professional he is now. He can adapt to certain situations. He is a big, lumbering stride horse, and if you get him tied up too much, it's hard to get him going, so it's better to keep him in the clear. (Jockey Flavien Prat) did a fabulous job," Mandella said.
United, who was third in the 2019 John Henry, has won seven of 16 starts with earnings of $1,413,549.
The 5-year-old gelding took the lead at the start of the John Henry and never looked back. Prat guided the 3-5 favorite ($3.40) to a 1 1/2-length lead after a half-mile in :49.07, and they held that same margin while crossing the wire in 1:59.17 for the 1 1/4 miles on firm turf.
"The other day (in the Del Mar Handicap ) I got trapped on the inside with no pace and I couldn't go anywhere. Today, I decided if he broke well, I would put him in the race. On paper it seemed like there was no speed, so I thought maybe I could try to take the lead. He was traveling well. I loved the way he was galloping and he made a good move as always down the lane," Prat said. "Ever since he ran in the Breeders' Cup, where he was a longshot, he just keeps moving up. It seems like he's improving a lot, and I'm really enjoying what he's doing."
BG Stables' Originaire, a Zoffany colt who was the 7-2 second choice, moved up from fourth in the field of seven to take second for trainer Jeff Mullins by a neck over Team Block's Another Mystery, a Temple City colt trained by Michael McCarthy.
Bred by Rosemont Farm, United was bought in 2016 for $300,000 by Solis/Litt from the Four Star Sales consignment at The Saratoga Sale, Fasig-Tipton's New York sale of select yearlings. He was previously purchased by Glencrest Farm for $240,000 from the Trackside Farm consignment at the 2015 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale.
United is the fifth of nine foals by the Pulling Punches mare Indy Punch. He is a half brother to grade 3 winner Harlan Punch and stakes-winning Tensas Punch. Indy Punch's two most recent foals are a yearling filly by Uncle Mo and a weanling War Front colt.