Chasing Liberty Wins Lucrative Juvenile Sprint on DQ

It looked like Under Who's Radar  might be on his way to victory in the $897,500 Juvenile Sprint at Kentucky Downs Sept. 1, but a sudden shift at the sixteenth pole that forced the fast-closing Chasing Liberty  to alter course would see a change in the initial order of finish.

The race result was left in the hands of the stewards. After 10 minutes of deliberation, Under Who's Radar was dethroned for interference and the crown was placed on longshot Chasing Liberty to a cheer from his backers who would receive a payday of $46.76 for a $2 win bet.

"I feel bad for the connections," said Under Who's Radar's jockey Jose Ortiz. "They work day in and day out with these horses. It's not easy to win a million-dollar race; to be taken down is heartbreaking."

Ortiz's 2-year-old Violence   colt had been tested from the start, receiving pressure while setting fractions of :22.03 and :45.20 through the early stages of the 6 1/2-furlong contest.

Florent Geroux aboard Chasing Liberty broke with the frontrunners but settled off the pace. Swinging wide into the long stretch, the son of Constitution   was gaining ground with every stride. At the sixteenth pole, which features a slight bend in the course, Under Who's Radar suddenly jolted to his right and forced Geroux to alter course. The two never made contact and once straightened, Chasing Liberty continued his charge but came up short as Under Who's Radar finished in 1:15.65. Reach for the Rose  finished third.

"My horse was making a very nice move," said Geroux. "I had to take a strong hold. It's hard to tell if I'd had beaten him or not. At the time, I was gaining a lot of momentum."

"My horse spooked from something on the inside," Ortiz said. "They got a lot of signs and golf carts (inside the track). These are babies."

The homebred put Twin Creeks Racing Stable and trainer Rob Atras in the winner's circle. They had plenty of confidence the colt was ready for the challenge of stakes company off his debut win in a July 28 maiden test at Ellis Park.

"I'm real proud of how the horse ran," Atras said. "I thought he was the winner turning for home. (Geroux) did a great job. That horse came over and he got him out of harm's way and finished strong."

Twin Creeks raced grade 1-winning sire Constitution in partnership with WinStar Farm, who stood the stallion this year for a fee of $110,000. Twin Creeks also raced Chasing Liberty's dam, the winning, stakes-placed Declaration of War  mare Peaceful .

"We thought (Chasing Liberty) was the kind you could take to Kentucky Downs and run as a 2-year-old," said Randy Gullatt of Twin Creeks Racing. "That was our goal, just getting here was our goal. When a plan like that works out—we're here to take that shot—it's a good accomplishment."

Video: National Thoroughbred League Juvenile Sprint S. (BT)

Geroux Rides Goliad to Victory

Geroux also found success one race prior while riding Perry and Ramona Bass' Goliad  to victory in the $481,200 Sticker Mule Overnight Handicap. The Richard Mandella trainee won the Feb. 3 Thunder Road (G3T) at Santa Anita Park before a pair of off-the-board finishes in grade 1 company.

Goliad completed the mile in 1:33.12, winning by 3/4 lengths over Noises Off . Cash Equity  was third.