Midcourt runs down Two Thirty Five in Comma to the Top Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – The development of the 4-year-old gelding Midcourt has reached the stakes level. Sunday at Santa Anita, Midcourt won his stakes debut in the $80,550 Comma to the Top Stakes at a mile.

Ridden by Victor Espinoza, Midcourt ($15.60) won his third consecutive race in the Comma to the Top. Closing from fourth, Midcourt fought off a sustained challenge from Two Thirty Five to win by a neck. He was timed in 1:36.89 and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 91.

Midcourt is trained by John Shirreffs and has won three of four starts since joining his stable in 2018. The winning streak includes a maiden special weight race at a mile here in June, and an allowance race with a $40,000 claiming option at 1 1/16 miles at Del Mar in August.

Midcourt was the fourth choice in a field of five in the Comma to The Top. He was last around the first turn and fourth on the backstretch behind pacesetter Leading Score, the 3-5 favorite. Midcourt moved into contention with a wide rally. He was within a head of Two Thirty Five with a furlong remaining and took the lead in the final sixteenth.

“When the horse applies himself, he tries hard,” Shirreffs said.

Shirreffs said Midcourt needed mental attention to compile the winning streak.

“In the afternoons, he really shows up,” Shirreffs said. “The farther he goes, the better he goes.”

Two Thirty Five (3-1) finished 2 1/4 lengths in front of Leading Score, who was well clear of Ground Attack and Oliver.

Midcourt, by Midnight Lute, races for Lee and Susan Searing’s CRK Stable. Purchased for $450,000 at the 2016 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Midcourt has won 3 of 6 starts and earned $138,695.

Shirreffs said Midcourt could have his graded stakes debut in the Grade 3 Native Diver Stakes at Del Mar on Nov. 23. The $100,000 Native Diver Stakes is run at 1 1/8 miles.