Campaign wins Tokyo City Cup on short rest

ARCADIA, Calif. – Campaign began a spring vacation late Sunday afternoon. It is deserved.

On Sunday at Santa Anita, Campaign had his second start in as many weekends, winning the Grade 3 Tokyo City Cup at 1 1/2 miles on dirt. A 4-year-old colt, Campaign was fourth in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap at 1 1/4 miles on April 6.

“He’ll get a couple of months off,” trainer John Sadler said.

The $98,351 Tokyo City Cup is the longest stakes on dirt annually run at Santa Anita.

Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, Campaign ($7) closed from last in a field of five with a wide rally to win by 3 1/4 lengths over even-money favorite Beach View. Campaign was timed in 2:34.73 on a track that has produced slow times in recent weeks. Campaign earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 95.

Campaign trailed pacesetter Acker by about six lengths for the first mile – through a slow pace of 1:43.66 – and was within 1 1/2 lengths of stretch leader Beach View with a furlong remaining.

Beach View, who won the Grade 3 Cougar II Handicap at 1 1/2 miles on dirt at Del Mar last July, finished 3 3/4 lengths in front of Acker, who is trained by Sadler. Arch Prince finished fourth, followed by Full of Luck, who was pulled up in the stretch and walked back to the barns.

Campaign was supplemented to the Tokyo City Cup for $2,000 when entries were taken on Thursday. Sadler said he watched Campaign in the days after the Big Cap before deciding to enter the Tokyo City Cup.

“I waited until the last minute,” he said.

Owned by Woodford Racing, Campaign has won 4 of 8 starts and earned $310,753. It is possible Campaign may not race again until the $100,000 Cougar II Handicap on July 24.

“He’ll run all day,” Sadler said. “He’s a true stayer.”