Corruze put up in wild finish to Caesars

There was less rough action in wild Roman chariot races than in the homestretch of the $200,000 Caesars Stakes on Wednesday at Indiana Grand.

Spectacular Gem, who pressed the early pace then led during the middle and late stages, turned in a game performance crossing the finish a nose in front of Corruze. But before hitting the line, Spectacular Gem twice drifted right under Declan Cannon and for failing to maintain a straight course and causing interference, Spectacular Gem was disqualified by Indiana Grand stewards to fourth.

That elevated Corruze to the win, moved 6-5 favorite Crafty Daddy up to second and Clint Maroon to third. Channing Hill aboard Clint Maroon, who took the worst of things as the four horses bunched together in the final furlong, claimed foul against the three jockeys whose mounts finished in front of him, while Florent Geroux on Crafty Daddy claimed against Cannon and Corey Lanerie on Corruze. Corruze only shifted in slightly just before the wire, and that after the chain reaction caused by Spectacular Gem occurred, and the claims against him were disallowed.

Corruze, trained by Chris Hartman for Chris Wilkins, took considerable late action in the win pool but still payed $31.40 in this grass race for 3-year-olds. Spectacular Gem was a major overlay at 35-1 and twice in previous races had finished in front of Corruze, who displayed a big turn of foot in a couple turf sprint stakes earlier this year and as a 2-year-old, but had faded out of the frame in his only previous route race.

“The first time, he never relaxed and fought the rider the entire way,” said Wilkins. “We were confident he could get two turns and he showed us that today.”

Corruze is by Into Mischief out of Skygusty, by Skywalker, and won for the third time in just six career starts. He was timed in 1:38.01 for one mile over a turf course rated firm but showing plenty of wear after a long meet and rain a few days ago.

Fever Temple, Gray Magicial, Ry’s the Guy, Toss of Fate, and also-eligible Evil Eye were scratched.

Winter blooms in Indiana Grand

Winter Sunset cut back from longer two-turn races and dropped a notch in class to easily win the $200,000 Indiana Grand, a turf mile for 3-year-old fillies.

Covered up mid-pack behind a moderate pace by jockey Channing Hill, Winter Sunset bid between horses at the top of the stretch and bounded clear to win by 2 ½ lengths. Amandrea won a three-horse photo for third with Winning Envelope a nose back in fourth and She’sonthewarpath another neck behind in fourth. Winter Sunset ran one mile on firm but fairly slow-playing turf in 1:37.92 and paid $8.40 as the tepid favorite.

“This ground still has some cut in it,” Hill said. “I just wanted to get her to settle today.”

Hill rode the winner for his father-in-law, trainer Wayne Catalano, who trains Winter Sunset for Coffeepot Stables and Phillips Racing. Phillips bred Winter Sunset, a near-white daughter of Tapit and Winter Memories, by El Prado.

Winter Sunset, who has a big-league pedigree, won her first two starts but came into Wednesday’s start on a four-race losing streak. The filly wasn’t performing poorly but was failing to really settle during her races and coming home somewhat one-paced at slightly longer trips. Wednesday, she put it all together for the best win of her career.

“This was the race we needed from this filly and she gave it to us,” Catalano said.