Trace Creek Pulls Hanshin Cup Upset
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Photo: Four Footed Fotos
Trace Creek wins the Hanshin Cup
Shortleaf Stable's homebred Trace Creek made his Polytrack debut a success when capturing the grade III $100,000 Hanshin Cup May 21 at Arlington International Racecourse.
Trained by William Van Meter, the Arkansas-bred son of Harperstown broke from the inside post and settled well off the pace while saving ground in the early stages of the one-turn mile event. After opening fractions of :23.25, :46.09, and 1:10.82, the 6-year-old horse moved up to travel mid-pack on the turn and then found room along the rail to overtake the leaders under jockey Julio Felix.
He completed the one-mile trip in 1:36.25.
One length back in second was Francois, who held that place position by three-quarters of a length over Valiant City.
Winning for the seventh time in 22 career starts, Trace Creek earned $57,600 for the victory to boost his career bankroll to $326,256. The win was Van Meter's first in a stakes.
The longest shot in the nine-horse field at 44-1, Trace Creek returned $90.40, $31, and $10. Francois paid $18.80 and $7.80, and Valiant City returned $4.60.
Patricia's Hope's 8-5 post-time favorite Midnight Cello finished sixth for trainer Michael Tomlinson. After a slow start, the defending winner never quickened under jockey Jose Valdivia Jr. and only managed to make up ground in the final furlong while passing tiring runners.
Recount, Mister Marti Gras, Midnight Cello, Crewman, Blarp, and One Go All Go completed the order of finish.