Alsvid repeats in Aristides Stakes, ends losing streak
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. – If every race was the Aristides Stakes, well, Alsvid might be the top sprinter in the land.
The winner of the 2015 Aristides at Churchill Downs over the defending Eclipse Award sprint champion, Work All Week, Alsvid had gone winless in 11 subsequent starts.
But the 7-year-old gelding turned in another sparkling effort Saturday in the 28th running of the Grade 3, $100,000 Aristides, prevailing over Limousine Liberal and Union Jackson in a swift 1:08.26 for six furlongs. The winner returned $8.80 as the third choice.
“I’m really glad to see him get back to the winner’s circle,” said Chris Hartman, who trains Alsvid for the Black Hawk Stable of Jim Rogers. “He’s a neat horse, real easy to train. He just goes out and does it all by himself.”
Under a short-lived rain that hit just before post time, Alsvid broke like a shot, giving jockey Chris Landeros immediate leverage. Landeros conceded the lead to Union Jackson while assuming a prime outside stalking spot, ultimately getting the best of Union Jackson in deep stretch while simultaneously fending off the steady outside run of Limousine Liberal, the 4-5 favorite in a field of six older horses.
The win margin was a head, with Union Jackson another half-length back in third. It was another 5 1/2 lengths back to Barbados, who was followed by Schivarelli and Grande Basin. Toews On Ice would have been the lone 3-year-old in the field but was an early scratch.
Alsvid, a Kentucky-bred son of Officer, now has won 14 of 42 starts and earned $1,233,998. He had finished second or third in eight of his losses since the 2015 Aristides.
The $2 exacta (5-3) paid $17.60, the $1 trifecta (5-3-4) returned $20, and the 10-cent superfecta (5-3-4-2) was worth $4.59.
• One race earlier, Latent Revenge ($16.20) fought off all challengers when holding on to win the $63,920 Mighty Beau, a five-furlong turf race for older horses. Francisco Torres was aboard the winner for trainer Greg Foley.
“This was a big win,” said Foley.
Rivers Run Deep was second, Bucchero was third, and Hogy was fourth as the 3-2 favorite in a field of nine. The winning time was 57.52 seconds over firm going.