Cardinal Handicap Falls to Strike Charmer
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Strike Charmer broke through at the graded level with a good rally Nov. 22, claiming the $119,700 Cardinal Handicap (gr. IIIT) by two lengths at Churchill Downs .
Running down tiring 8-5 favorite I'm Already Sexy after that one set the pace throughout the 1 1/8-mile turf test, the winning 4-year-old Smart Strike filly was timed in 1:49.97 on the good Matt Winn Turf Course.
A brief freshening and a perfect stalking trip was the winning formula for Strike Charmer, who easily beat 13 rivals at odds of 12-1. The David Carroll trainee had 70 days since her previous start Sept. 13 when she ran second to I'm Already Sexy by three lengths in the $197,000 Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf.
Campaigned by owner/breeder Don Adam's Courtlandt Farms, Strike Charmer provided veteran trainer Carroll with a much-needed graded stakes win—his first since Acoma won the Spinster (gr. I) at Keeneland in 2010. Carroll entered the Cardinal with 11 wins and earnings of $441,957 from 81 starters on the year, his lowest annual win total since he won with 11 of 91 starters in 1996.
"It's been a tough year," Carroll said. "Mr. Adam has been a good, patient owner. We really needed that."
I'm Already Sexy, who most recently finish fifth in the $200,750 Goldikova (gr. IIT) Nov. 2 at Santa Anita Park, controlled the fractions in the Cardinal through a quarter in :23.82 and a half in :47.69, galloping clear about six lengths in front of the field before coming back to them after three quarters in 1:13 flat.
Ridden along in fourth by jockey Chris Landeros, Strike Charmer shifted into the three path coming off the far turn and took command in the stretch to draw clear late under a steady drive. Pappascat flattened after pressing the pace, but held for second by 1 1/4 lengths over Antonia Autumn.
"I've got to give Dave a lot of the credit," Landeros said. "The way she's been training and the way she presented herself today, gosh, that's what separates the good ones from the mediocre ones. It was a blessing to get on her. She was very impressive today. Everything she did was 110%. (The race unfolded) just the way I needed it to. I got a little split when I needed it to. It was just a great trip. When you have the horse, it makes your job a lot easier."
Strike Charmer returned $26.60, $10.80, and $7.20 as the fifth choice in the crowded field. Pappascat paid $16.80 and $11.20, with Antonia Autumn bringing $26.60.
I'm Already Sexy, Nellie Cashman, Keening, Bitty Kitty, Northern Passion, Rosee Is Cozee, Annabird, Royal Fury, Angegreen, Honey Lake, and Street of Gold completed the order of finish. Also-eligibles Frivolous and Imposing Grace were scratched.
Bred in Kentucky out of the Storm Cat mare Cat Charmer, Strike Charmer improved her record to 3-3-1 from 10 starts with earnings of $206,835.