Jungle Prince upsets in Turf Express

Jungle Prince pulled an upset in Saturday's $150,000 at Hollywood Park, scoring the most prestigious stakes win of his 29-race career.

But the race was as noteworthy for a strange betting pattern that ended with Captain Kurt, who was 20-1 on the morning-line, sent off as the 8-5 favorite. Captain Kurt opened as the 1-5 favorite with approximately $41,300 in win bets. He eventually drew $107,627 of the $354,103 bet to win. Captain Kurt was also heavily bet in the daily double that ended with the fourth race, the Turf Express

As a result of those surprising bets, Jungle Prince ($23) was sent off much higher than his morning-line of 6-1.

Ridden by Agapito Delgadillo, Jungle Prince was always near the front. Second early, Jungle Prince followed pacesetter Lazzeri through early fractions of 23.11 and 45.21 seconds, and took the lead on the turn.

Jungle Prince led by a length with a furlong remaining, and held off a resilient In Summation to win by a half-length. Moth Ball, the winner of the Morvich Handicap at the Oak Tree at Santa Anita meeting last month, closed from sixth to finish third in the field of eight.

Captain Kurt, who broke a stride slowly from the rail, never reached contention and finished seventh. Lazzeri faded to finish last.

Jungle Prince ran six furlongs on turf in 1:08.76.

Owned by a partnership and trained by Juan Garcia, Jungle Prince, 5, has won eight races and $480,888. Earlier this year, he won the Phoenix Gold Cup at Turf Paradise and the Governor's Cup Handicap at Fairplex Park.

Jungle Prince placed in three other races this year, including a third in the Grade 1 Ancient Title Breeders' Cup Handicap at Santa Anita in October.