Necker Island edges Tut's Revenge in Jeff Hall Memorial

Necker Island found a seam in deep stretch before posting a popular victory Sunday in the $75,000 Jeff Hall Memorial at Ellis Park.

A solid favorite in a field of eight older horses, Necker Island returned $4.56 to win after getting up by a neck over Tut’s Revenge in winning the 6 1/2-furlong race in 1:15.23 over a fast track. Mitch Murrill was aboard Necker Island, a 5-year-old Kentucky-bred horse by Hard Spun.

“It worked out perfect,” Murrill said. “He split horses down the lane and was the best today.”

Necker Island, an also-ran in the 2020 Kentucky Derby, now has won seven of 26 starts, with his best finishes coming at shorter distances. His earnings stand at $780,657.

“He’s been special to us, for sure,” said Chris Hartman, who trains Necker Island for The Scherr Boys. “He’s turned into a nice sprinter and he showed up today.”

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Bango, the $1.95-1 second choice, led much of the way before fading to fifth behind Surveillance (third) and Robo Man (fourth). Last July at Ellis, Bango won the Good Lord, which was renamed to honor Jeff Hall, who died in June after more than 50 years as a key Ellis employee. A tribute to Hall directly followed the winner’s circle ceremonies.

Penny-breakage payoffs for the Hall were $33.64 for a $2 exacta (1-10); $119.72 for a $1 trifecta (1-10-11); and $98.28 for a 10-cent superfecta (1-10-11-9).

Ellis started all three cards this weekend more than two hours earlier than normal because of excessive heat in the western Kentucky region where the track is located.

Ethical Judgement wins allowance

Two races earlier, Ethical Judgement ($13.20) rallied to win a second-level allowance going a mile on the main track, finishing in 1:35.84 under Martin Garcia. Brendan Walsh trains the 4-year-old Honor Code colt for Phoenix Thoroughbred III Ltd.

Happy Jack, the 7-5 favorite in a field of eight, was unable to overcome a sluggish start when firing late to be third, beaten less than a length by the winner.