First stakes at Century Mile go to Trooper John, Ruffenuff

Trooper John made history Monday as the first horse to win a stakes race at Century Mile in the $50,000 Journal Handicap. The Tim Rycroft-trained son of Colonel John also won the race last year when it was held at Northlands Park.

He paid $3.80 for his half-length win over Born in a Breeze in the six-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up.

With Wilmer Galviz riding, Trooper John was in a stalking position while Irish Gold and Moon King were dueling through fast interior fractions of 21.33 and 43.29 seconds. He took over the lead midstretch and was all-out to hold off the determined bid from Born in a Breeze who rallied from midpack. Moon King held on well to finish third.

The final time was 1:08.31.

“We stayed close to the pace, and when I asked him he went on,” said Galviz. “I could see the horses in front shortening stride and the only horse I was worried about coming from behind was Born in a Breeze.”

Bred in Pennsylvania, Trooper John races for Riversedge Racing Stables Ltd.

Trainer Greg Tracy saddled the top three finishers in the co-featured $50,000 JetSet Handicap for filies and mares.

Ruffenuff won the six-furlong sprint by a length over C U At Eau Claire. With Dane Nelson aboard, Ruffenuff sat just off C U At Eau Claire early and after engaging in a stretch-long duel she edged clear late. Raider rallied from midpack to finish third.

The final time was 1:08.49.

A Kentucky-bred daughter of Dialed In, Ruffenuff is owned by Curtis Landry. Landry also owns Raider.