Clubhouse Ride triumphs in Californian Stakes for first win in a year

ARCADIA, Calif. – Clubhouse Ride showed Saturday why he is still a factor in California’s older male division.

The 6-year-old Clubhouse Ride ($15) scored an upset win in the $200,500 Californian Stakes at Santa Anita, closing on the rail through the stretch to outfinish Fury Kapcori, the 1-2 favorite.

The win ended an eight-race losing streak dating back to the 2013 Californian at Hollywood Park and gave trainer Craig Lewis a candidate for the $500,000 Gold Cup at Santa Anita on June 28.

Clubhouse Ride closed from last to win the Grade 2 Californian Stakes by a half-length. A decision by jockey Joe Talamo to go inside of Fury Kapcori was arguably the difference between winning and losing.

“I could see that [Fury Kapcori] was drifting out, so I took a shot and went inside,” Talamo said. “What a gritty horse. He was right there for me.”

Clubhouse Ride was well off a quick pace of 22.47 seconds and 45.97 set by Fury Kapcori, who entered the race on a four-race winning streak. On the turn, Fury Kapcori was challenged by Storm Fighter, the winner of the Tiznow Stakes for California-breds April 26. Storm Fighter was within a length of Fury Kapcori but could not sustain the threat.

Talamo moved Clubhouse Ride into fourth on the turn and was prominent entering the stretch. Clubhouse Ride took the lead with a furlong remaining. He finished 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.74.

“The horse was full of run with a quarter-mile to run,” Lewis said.

Fury Kapcori finished 2 1/4 lengths in front of Majestic Harbor, who was followed by Majestic City, Storm Fighter, Handsome Mike, and Fly Lexis Fly in the field of seven.

The Californian Stakes is the third career stakes win for Clubhouse Ride, who won the Barretts Juvenile at the Los Angeles County Fair in September 2010. By Candy Ride, Clubhouse Ride has won 5 of 37 starts and earned $1,220,132 for owners Six-S Racing Stable and Nikolas Petralia.

The Californian Stakes was Clubhouse Ride’s fifth start this year, a span that included a third in the Grade 2 San Carlos Stakes for sprinters in March and the Santana Mile behind Fury Kapcori on March 30.

Lewis said he was even more gratified by the win considering that Clubhouse Ride missed some training time over the winter because of foot problems.