Patriot Spirit ships back in looking for first graded win in Essex Handicap
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HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Patriot Spirit will be looking to nail down the first graded stakes win of his career Saturday when he meets 120-pound highweight Kinetic and $1.8 million earner Red Route One in the Grade 3, $500,000 Essex Handicap.
The 1 1/8-mile race for 4-year-olds and up drew a field of seven, with three cross-entered in the New Orleans Classic at Fair Grounds. Maycocks Bay is scheduled to run in Louisiana, while Kinetic and Tarantino are expected for the Essex, according to Daily Racing Form correspondents Brad Free and Marcus Hersh.
Patriot Spirit ships in from Tampa Bay Downs, where he shows a strong series of works. His most recent was a half-mile in 47 seconds, which was the fastest of 127 at the distance March 9 at Tampa. Patriot Spirit is a 4-year-old by Constitution from the Grade 1-winning mare Mistical Plan.
“I always thought that this horse could stand at stud someday,” said Michael Campbell, who trains Patriot Spirit for longtime owner George Mellon. “It’s all about getting graded status. That’s just as important as the money is, actually. To us, anyway.”
Patriot Spirit will be making his second start at the meet. He finished second by a neck in the $150,000 Fifth Season on Jan. 25. The Beyer Speed Figure of 96 he earned is one of the best last-race numbers in the Essex.
“I thought he got caught down on the inside on a day that the inside was very deep,” Campbell said. “It was a heavy lift that day to win from the inside.”
Patriot Spirit set the pace in the one-mile race and again figures to be prominent when he starts from post 4 under Rafael Bejarano. The horse won at the Essex distance in last year’s Illinois Derby.
“I think my horse will be a close-up stalker,” Campbell said. “I think that’s the most relevant tactic to take. You know how it goes when they leave that gate – all gloves come off and anything can happen. He is a very keen horse right now. You can see that in his works.
“I’m looking forward to Saturday. I do think I have a big chance. I recognize there’s others in there that look very good, too. We’re looking very forward to the race.”
Kinetic has started at 1 1/8 miles three times and won each time, including an overnight stakes at Oaklawn. Cristian Torres has the mount from post 5 for Godolphin and trainer Brad Cox.
Red Route One is a multiple graded stakes winner at the distance and can take full advantage if Tarantino, Unload, Patriot Spirit, and Speed Bias make for a strong pace Saturday.
Purple Martin
The unbeaten Accelerating will take a get-out-and-go approach to the $175,000 Purple Martin, a six-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies that shares a card with the Essex.
“She’s fast,” trainer Steve Asmussen said. “Drawing the rail, I don’t think we’re going to try and reinvent the wheel here. So, hopefully it goes smooth enough.”
Accelerating is making her first start since wiring the field in the Seeking the Ante in August at Saratoga. Keith Asmussen has the mount for Kaleem Shah.
Kimchi Cat won last year’s Bolton Landing at Saratoga. The field of seven also includes two-time stakes winner Glee.
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