Chaplain reaffirms affinity for Turf Paradise

Chaplain put up the best performance of his career as the 6-year-old gelding stormed home from last to capture Saturday’s $25,000 Caballos del Sol at Turf Paradise.

Owned by Simon Hudy and trained by Robertino Diodoro, Chaplain, a son of Touch Gold, won for the fourth time in his last five starts, and obviously has a love affair with this track as he now has 5 wins in 6 local starts.

Under Jorge Carreno, Chaplain was very slow into stride in the six-furlong stakes. He was content to sit last early in the field of nine but commenced a strong run on the far turn and carried his momentum through the lane, powering past his rivals and off to win clear by 4 1/2 lengths. Mr. Monkey Jones also rallied from well back to get second, just ahead of All Saint.

Twin Sparks, who set the six-furlong world record of 1:06.49 in this race last year, dueled through sizzling early fractions of 21.49 and 43.65 seconds, but faded to sixth. Heavy 3-5 favorite Danzip was part of that duel as well, and he gave way to finish eighth.

Chaplain paid $19.20 and ran the distance in 1:08.64. The winner’s share of $15,000 pushes his career earnings to $343,914 from 13 wins in 34 starts.