Churchill Downs: Harlan's Holiday sets record

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Harlan's Holiday captured the 20th running of the Iroquois Stakes with surprising ease Sunday, further validating his status as half of trainer Ken McPeek's powerful package of talented 2-year-olds.

The 2 3/4-length score by Harlan's Holiday came after the colt stalked the early pace set by Showmeitall, then drew off comfortably to finish one mile in stakes-record time of 1:35.01 over a fast track.

McPeek also trains Repent, runner-up to Johannesburg in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

Harlan's Holiday, ridden by Tony D'Amico, paid $7.20 as second choice in a field of 10 2-year-olds. Request for Parole rallied from midpack to be second, 1 3/4 lengths ahead of Gold Dollar. Janadel, the 2-1 favorite, finished fourth.

The victory in the $113,200, Grade 3 Iroquois was the fourth in six starts for Harlan's Holiday and his first in a graded race. The Harlan colt finished second in his previous start to Siphonic in the Grade 2 Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland.