Saratoga: Mabou comes off claim to win N.Y. Turf Writers

Barbara D. Livingston

Mabou, with Robert Walsh riding, leads the field en route to victory in the New York Turf Writers Cup Steeplechase Handicap.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Mabou, claimed for $30,000 three weeks ago, wasted little time becoming a Grade 1 winner when he rallied from last to a convincing 5 3/4-length victory over Irish invader Dirar in the $100,000 New York Turf Writers Cup Steeplechase Handicap on Thursday at Saratoga. The win gave David Jacobson the first graded stakes winner of his training career and came with the first horse he had ever started in a steeplechase event.

The New York Turf Writers was marred by three spills, one of which led to the disqualification of the fourth-place finisher and 8-5 favorite, Divine Fortune, who was placed last after bumping several times with Decoy Daddy approaching the ninth fence. Decoy Daddy ultimately fell on the final turn, as did Divine Fortune’s entrymate Sermon of Love. Pacesetter Straight to It also went down over the final jump. None of the riders or horses involved in the incidents appeared to be seriously injured.

Jacobsen claimed Mabou out of a fifth-place finish here on Aug. 4. Mabou, an 8-year-old son of Dynaformer, had won his only other start this year by 82 lengths while competing under a $20,000 claiming price.

Mabou raced at the rear of the nine-horse field for the first two miles of the 2 3/8-mile Turf Writers, overtook Dirar coming over the final hurdle and won going away. Dynaski finished third, two lengths behind Dirar.

Mabou, who was ridden by Robert Walsh, paid $35.20. Final time was 4:40.72 seconds over a firm course.