Krampus by a head in Canadian Turf

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – It took a claim of foul by trainer Bill Mott all the way from Payson Park to get the unlucky Krampus elevated from fifth to fourth position following the roughly run El Prado Stakes earlier in the meet.

But Mott didn’t have to make any such calls, long distance or otherwise, after Krampus dug in gamely through the stretch to register a well-deserved head decision over the odds-on Breaking the Rules in Saturday’s $150,000 Canadian Turf at Gulfstream Park.

Krampus reunited with jockey John Velazquez for the Grade 3 Canadian Turf and benefitted from a perfectly judged ride by the Hall of Fame rider. Rating off the early pace set, as expected, by Siem Riep, the former claimer Krampus overtook the leader leaving the final turn, then dug down deep when engaged by Breaking the Rules to narrowly prevail following a thrilling stretch duel.

Breaking the Rules, an easy winner of his two previous starts, including the Tropical Park Derby in his 3-year-old finale, rallied just behind and outside Krampus into the stretch but never could get by the leader. Holiday Stone finished another two lengths back in third after having to check and alter course briefly near midstretch.

Krampus, a 5-year-old son of Shakespeare, won his maiden under a $40,000 claiming tag in his second career start. Owned by William Schettine, Krampus was forced to steady sharply between horses in late stretch of the El Prado when full of run under jockey Manny Cruz. The incident resulted in the disqualification of runner-up Mr. Cub following Mott’s claim of foul.

Krampus completed one mile over the firm turf in 1:34.98 and paid $11.60.

“It seems like when he’s up close like this and is able to stay up close and get in a nice stalking position, he runs real hard, he doesn’t want to let anyone get by,” said Mott. “He’s one of those horses, he’s really kind of a barn favorite. He’s probably not the best horse in the barn, but nobody tries harder than him.”

Mott recalled the circumstances leading up to his rare trainer’s claim of foul in the El Prado.

“I think in his last start, if he got through there, he could have been second,” said Mott. “I was really angry that day because I love this horse so much, and we were fifth, and I hate to lodge an objection against somebody, but they really cost him a couple of spots, and it’s my job to get everything we can get.”

Mott said he was uncertain where he’d run Krampus next.

“He kind of likes a mile, a mile-and-a-sixteenth race,” said Mott. “I don’t know if he’s the right kind for the Maker’s Mark or something like that; the waters get pretty deep there. We’ll probably look for something where he can be more competitive.”