Snapper Sinclair, Ultima D take Kentucky Downs juvenile stakes

FRANKLIN, Ky. – Fresh off a maiden victory over the Saratoga turf, Snapper Sinclair came through as the favorite Wednesday in capturing the $346,000 Kentucky Downs Juvenile.

Always prominent under Ricardo Santana Jr., Snapper Sinclair took command in the upper stretch before finishing 1 3/4 lengths clear of John Tippmann, who edged Arawak in a photo for second among a full field of 12 2-year-olds.

“He’s a very nice, very athletic 2-year-old,” said Steve Asmussen, who trains Snapper Sinclair for Bloom Racing LLC.

Snapper Sinclair, a bay colt by City Zip, returned $6.20 after finishing seven furlongs in 1:31.97 over a turf course rated good. He was coming off an Aug. 14 maiden triumph in his second start, which followed a seven-length defeat in his July debut over the main track at Belmont Park.

“His first race was a little disappointing, but we got him up to Saratoga, worked him on the turf, and he started showing how special he is,” said Asmussen, adding the Nov. 3 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf is a logical end-of-season target.

The Juvenile was sponsored by the Fasig-Tipton Sales Company.

Ultima D wins Juvenile Fillies

An hour earlier, Ultima D ($8) drew clear in the far turn and maintained a clear lead the rest of the way in capturing the filly counterpart, the $348,000 Kentucky Downs Juvenile Fillies, in 1:32.38. Best Performance, the 2-1 favorite, had a more difficult trip before getting cut loose late to nab second, 1 1/2 lengths behind the winner and another length before Go Noni Go in a capacity field of 12.

The seven-furlong Juvenile Fillies, sponsored by Exacta Systems, marked the first win in four career starts for Ultima D, a Scat Daddy filly owned by For the People. Julio Garcia was aboard for trainer Wesley Ward.

“She came into it the right way today,” said Ward.