Jaipur Invitational: Undrafted flies by Marchman late

ELMONT, N.Y. – Undrafted, owned by star NFL receiver Wes Welker, rallied outside in the stretch and ran to daylight as the clock was expiring to score in Saturday’s Grade 3 Jaipur Invitational Stakes.

Since its inception, the Jaipur has alternated between six and seven furlongs. It was shortened to six panels again this year, and Undrafted ran the distance in 1:07.24 seconds on a firm inner turf course to eclipse Around the Cape’s 2006 mark of 1:07.31.

Undrafted was unhurried in the second flight early beneath John Velazquez, as Global Power set fast fractions of 21.84 and 44.47 while under pressure from Spring to the Sky and Marchman.

Marchman wrested the lead from Global Power in the stretch, but Undrafted had gathered a full head of steam on the far outside and powered past late to win by a length and one-half.

Marchman beat Global Power by a length for second, with the venerable Ben’s Cat another neck farther back in fourth.

“Perfect trip,” said Velazquez. “We broke in decent position; we wanted to be in the middle of the pack, somewhere where he was comfortable. I got him out at the quarter pole . . . once he got clear in the stretch he had a nice pick up. It was awesome.”

Undrafted banked $165,000 for his first stakes victory in the Jaipur, as the purse was doubled this year to $300,000.

“He ran fantastic,” said trainer Wesley Ward. “He ran beautiful. I was really happy. We’re headed to the July Cup at Newmarket. I thought [Velazquez] rode him perfectly. I told him to be a cool-sitter and a go-getter.”

Ben’s Cat was in cramped quarters leaving the turn, and finished evenly as the 2-1 favorite.

“It wasn’t a good trip,” said his owner-trainer King Leatherbury. “He did right, but then he got trapped and he couldn’t finish his normal finish.”

Upgrade, Anyriderill Di, Salto, Positive Side, and Spring to the Sky completed the running order.