Atitlan cruises to late-running score in John Henry Turf Championship

ARCADIA, Calif. − Atitlan took advantage of a strong early pace, overtook Flashiest in midstretch, and drew clear to a 2 1/2-length victory in Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 John Henry Turf Championship at Santa Anita.

The victory was the ninth in this race for trainer Richard Mandella, which tied him for most victories with Charlie Whittingham. The John Henry Turf Championship has been run under several different monikers beginning with the Oak Tree Stakes and continuing as the Oak Tree Invitational Stakes, Oak Tree Turf Championship Stakes and, from 2000-11, the Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship Stakes.

“This race has been so good to me,” Mandella, 75, said.

Atitlan was making just his third start for Mandella, who took over his conditioning following the death of trainer John Shirreffs in February. Mandella said Atitlan was just overcoming an injury during the spring and only made it back to the races in July running twice at Del Mar. The second of those starts, a nose defeat in the Del Mar Handicap showed Atitlan was getting back into his graded-stakes winning form.

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Saturday, Atitlan, ridden by Umberto Rispoli, won the race like a 4-5 shot is supposed to win. He took advantage of a rapid pace, as Balladeer took over from a rank Sinsel − the latter also trained by Mandella − midway through the stretch the first time. Balladeer, under Julien Leparoux, ran a half-mile in 46.40 seconds and six furlongs in 1:10.93 while three lengths clear.

Rispoli had Atitlan in fifth position, just outside Atomic Age early on down the backside. Rispoli held Atitlan in obeyance until the field moved around the far turn when Flashiest, who was stalking from third under Armando Ayuso, made a move for the lead. Rispoli followed that move and overtook Flashiest inside the eighth pole and drew clear for his fifth victory − fourth in a graded race − in his 15th career start.

“He was very professional,” Mandella said.

Atitlan, a 5-year-old son The Factor owned by John M.B. O’Connor, covered the 1 1/4 miles in 1:58.35 and returned $3.80. Mandella said Atitlan would be pointed to the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland on Oct. 31.

“It makes senses as long as he’s healthy and sound,” Mandella said.

Flashiest, the 8-year-old gelding by Mizzen Mast, finished second for the 10th time in 42 career starts, the fourth time in a graded stakes this year alone.

“He didn’t win but he was always trying,” jockey Armando Ayuso said. “He was in better form this time. I believe Atitlan was the best horse in the race. I don’t feel bad about the second this time.”

Following Flashiest finished second by a half-length over Mondego. Atomic Age was fourth, followed by Nitti, Twirling Point, Balladeer, and Sinsel.

− additional reporting by Steve Andersen

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