Pure Sensation wins head bob in Belmont Turf Sprint Invitational
ELMONT, N.Y. - Trainer Christophe Clement won his second stakes photo on the Super Saturday card at Belmont Park when Pure Sensation got up in deep stretch to win the $150,000 Belmont Turf Sprint Invitational by a head over front-running Power Alert.
Three races earlier, Clement had won the Grade 1 Frizette with Yellow Agate, who ran down pacesetting Libby's Tail in the shadow of the wire to also win by a head.
Pure Sensation is a force to be reckoned with during the infrequent times he does run. He was 2 for 3 last year at 4, while winning the Grade 3 Turf Monster at Parx. After Saturday's victory, he is 3 for 4 this year. In addition to the Belmont Turf Sprint, his wins include the Grade 3 Parx Dash in July and the Grade 3 Jaipur at Belmont in June.
"He had put in a nice work at Saratoga when he shed the frog on one of his feet," Clement said. "He is fine again now and he will be considered for the Breeders' Cup. We just try to keep this horse happy and sound."
The $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint will be run at 6 1/2 furlongs down the hill at Santa Anita on Nov. 5.
Power Alert sprinted to the front in the six-furlong Belmont Turf Sprint under jockey Mike Smith and reeled off fractions of 21.86 seconds, 44.49, and 55.63. He hung on tenaciously during the final furlong but just failed to reach the wire first.
Pure Sensation, was never far back during the race. He saved ground on the far turn under jockey Kendrick Carmouche, then swung three wide entering the stretch. In midstretch, it appeared he might not get up, but Carmouche stayed after him and Pure Sensation took the lead just in time.
"He was just sitting behind the pace for me," Carmouche said. "He wasn't tugging or anything. He doesn't respond to the whip much but when I hit him on the shoulder in the stretch, he just went after that other horse."
Pure Sensation paid $6.30 to win as the favorite in the nine-horse field. He completed the course in 1:07.10
Green Mask finished third, three-quarters of a length behind 10-1 Power Alert.