Private Horde is Marfa victor

Private Horde drove to victory Saturday in the $75,000 Marfa Stakes at Turfway Park in Florence, Ky., likely earning a trip to the Oct. 25 Breeders' Cup Sprint for owner Billy Tucker and trainer Joe Cain.

With Terry Thompson substituting for regular rider Jason Lumpkins, Private Horde made a bold outside move midway through the turn in the 6 1/2-furlong Marfa. Only Deer Lake, who had dueled City Rapid into defeat, remained as a challenger, and Private Horde steadily edged away to prevail by a length. Paging finished a distant third in the field of nine older horses. Private Horde finished in 1:16.17 over a track rated fast. He returned $3.20 as the heavy favorite.

Cain had said earlier in the week that if Private Horde, who upset the Grade 2 Vanderbilt Handicap at Saratoga in his previous start, were to win the Marfa, then Tucker would actively try to sell partial interest in the colt to offset expenses toward the Breeders' Cup. Private Horde will have to be supplemented to the BC Sprint for $90,000.