Churchill Downs: General Election finishes fast in Jefferson Cup

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A fast pace figured to set things up for a closer in the Jefferson Cup, and that scenario played out in favor of General Election, who was up in the final strides Saturday night to win the 37th running of the Grade 3 turf race at Churchill Downs.

With Joe Rocco Jr. aboard for WinStar Farm and trainer Kellyn Gorder, General Election rallied to prevail by a neck over Redwood Kitten, with Gentleman’s Kitten another 2 1/4 lengths back in a field of seven 3-year-olds. The second- and third-place finishers both are Ken and Sarah Ramsey homebreds.

General Election, a bay colt by Harlan’s Holiday, returned $6.20 as favorite after finishing the one-mile distance in 1:35.96 over a firm course. Redwood Kitten was the 2-1 second choice.

General Election now has won 4 of 10 starts and adds the Jefferson Cup to his prior stakes wins in the Battaglia Memorial and the Arlington Classic.

After Gentlemen’s Kitten, the order was Miceli, One More Cat, Tate’s Landing, and Balino. Rapscallion and Ray’s Away were early scratches.