Cappuchino an easy winner

The excellence of California shippers extended from New York to Kentucky on Saturday. Less than a half-hour after Pico Central won the Grade 1 Vosburgh at Belmont Park, Cappuchino easily took the $100,000 at the Florence, Ky., track.

Going straight to the front under Dean Sarvis, Cappuchino set quick splits of 22.87 seconds, 46.38, and 1:11.18 on a clear lead. The fast pace did not take a toll. He ran strongly to the wire, winning by four lengths over Crafty Shaw.

The victory was Cappuchino's first top-three finish in eight starts since winning the Grade 3 Ack Ack Handicap at Churchill Downs last October. He entered the Turfway Park Fall Championship after having been fourth in the $50,000 Alamedan Handicap at Pleasanton on July 11.

A 5-year-old son of Capote trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, Cappuchino raced one mile on a fast track in 1:37.19, paying $65.80 as the second-longest shot in the field of seven. The victory vaulted his career earnings to more than $500,000 for owners Howard Litt, George Todaro, and Hollendorfer.

Crafty Shaw, who had won this race in 2003 over Cappuchino, rallied from fourth to gamely grab second by a neck over Added Edge. Ask the Lord, Eagle Time, Alumni Hall, and Spanish Empire completed the order of finish. Intelligent Male and Ministers Wild Cat were scratched.