Disco Partner Wins Jaipur in World Record Time

For a second straight year a Patricia Generazio homebred not only won the Jaipur Invitational Stakes (G3T) but set a course and North American record in the process when Disco Partner rallied to a half-length victory in the $300,000 turf sprint June 10 at Belmont Park. 

Early on in the six-furlong test on the Belmont Widener Turf, last year's winner Pure Sensation blazed through a quarter-mile in :21.43 and a half-mile in :43.04 while Disco Partner raced off the pace in eighth. Turning for home, Disco Partner and Irad Ortiz Jr. rallied along the hedge then split horses to surge past Pure Sensation on their way to a half-length victory over favorite Green Mask.

Trained by Christophe Clement, Disco Partner completed six furlongs in 1:05.67 on the firm turf, which lowers by more than a second the previous course record set in last year's Jaipur when Pure Sensation won in 1:06.76. Equibase reports the time also is a world record for six furlongs on turf.

Pure Sensation's win last year had been the North American record for six furlongs on turf. Disco Partner finished second by a neck in last year's Jaipur. 

"Disco Partner had a great trip," Clement said. "Irad had him placed in a good position, and he was able to take advantage and move forward to finish in the end. Irad has been riding great and he did a good job again here today."

Disco Partner, a 5-year-old son of Disco Rico, returned $11.60, $5.60, and $3.70 across the board while Green Mask paid $4 and $3.20. Holding Gold paid $6.90 to show. Pure Sensation would fade to fourth.

The most exciting point in the race came near mid-stretch as Pure Sensation began to tire and Disco Partner was tipped out by Ortiz where he fired between his stablemate and Green Mask.

"I saved all the ground and when I had horse, I got through," Ortiz said. "We split horses, and he got there. He's a nice horse. He's doing so well."

Bred in New York by Generazio, Disco Partner is out of the winnning Numerous mare Lulu's Number, who also has produced stakes winner Bass River Road (Noonmark) and stakes-placed winner Don Six's Number (Don Six).

The North American record for six furlongs on dirt was set in 2009 at Turf Paradise when Twin Sparks won a race in 1:06.49.