Cupid's Claws points to Aftercare Alliance Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. - Cupid’s Claws was claimed for $50,000 at Del Mar on Sept. 5 and won the Grade 3 Tokyo City Cup at 1 1/2 miles on dirt at Santa Anita in his next start on Sept. 27.

The recent win has left the large partnership that owns the 5-year-old gelding and trainer Craig Dollase planning a start in the Grade 2 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes at 1 5/8 miles on dirt at Keeneland on Nov. 6.

The race was formerly known as the Marathon Stakes and holds appeal because it’s “13 furlongs for $200,000,” Dollase said. “Why not?

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“It gives us an excuse to go.”

Cupid’s Claws races for the partnership of Flawless Racing, Masino Racing Stable, Brian Flanagan, and Michael Jarvis. In the Tokyo City, Cupid’s Claws (7-1) pulled clear through the stretch to win by 7 1/4 lengths in his first win on dirt in his second career start on the surface. Cupid’s Claws had raced primarily on turf and four times on a synthetic surface before the Tokyo City.

“He took to the dirt and it all worked out,” Dollase said. “That was the key ingredient for his success.”