Head gains another win in July Cup

Marchand dOr produced a blistering late run to catch US Ranger at the wire in a scintillating renewal of the $791,000 July Cup at Newmarket on Friday, giving his trainer, Freddy Head, the distinction of having both trained and ridden the winner of this six-furlong Group 1 sprint.

Still last of 13 approaching the eighth pole, Marchand dOr was roused to attention by Davy Bonilla in a memorable performance by both horse and rider. The victorious 5-2 favorite nailed US Ranger on the line by a head. The pacesetting War Artist was a half-length farther back in third, with Astronomer Royal fourth and the Golden Jubilee Stakes winner Kingsgate Native fifth in a blanket finish. The winning time on good ground was 1:11.01.

As a rider, Head had won the 1996 July Cup aboard Anabaa, a son of Danzig who was trained by his sister Criquette Head.

Marchand dOr will go after a third straight victory in Deauvilles 6 1/2-furlong, Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest on Aug. 10.