Pure Sensation's nose hits wire first in Quick Call

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.- Pure Sensation made a successful transition from dirt to turf by unleashing a furious late kick under Jose Lezcano to run down longshot Choctaw Chuck and Favorite Tale to win Thursday’s $100,000 Quick Call Stakes by a nose at Saratoga.

Choctaw Chuck, who, under Taylor Rice, had Pure Sensation boxed in for a good part of the race, had to settle for second by a head over Favorite Tale. They were followed, in order, by Glacken Too, Good Bye Greg, Escapist, and Harpoon.

Pure Sensation, a Florida-bred son of Zensational, was making his first start on turf after going 1 for 7 on the dirt. He had shown good early speed in all of his previous races, including setting the pace in the Grade 2 Woody Stephens last out.

Thursday, Pure Sensation found himself off the pace early as Good Bye Greg and Favorite Tale hooked up through a half-mile in 44.29 seconds.

Choctaw Chuck had Pure Sensation to his inside down the backside and into the stretch before going after the leaders. Lezcano had to gradually work his way out to find running room and appeared to herd Glacken Too out a couple of paths wide, though he never bumped with that horse.

Once in the clear, Pure Sensation took off and caught Choctaw Chuck at the wire. He covered the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:01.82 over firm turf and returned $9.30.

“I tried to get out as easy as I can. I didn’t want to bump the other horse,” Lezcano said. “It took a little more time to get out. When he saw daylight he took off and won the race.”

Trainer Christophe Clement said he was encouraged by owners Frank and Patricia Generazio to try Pure Sensation on the turf. After a gallop on the infield at Belmont Park before shipping to Saratoga, Clement concurred.

“He trained very well. You can see the way he moved,” Clement said. “You could see the end of the race when he leveled off his stride was absolutely beautiful.”

While Clement and Lezcano were naturally pleased with the result, Rice was frustrated as she was denied her first win at Saratoga.

“I got the trip I wanted. We just got beat by a nice horse … just,” said Rice, who was riding for her brother Kevin. “I was like I beat the inside and here he comes; ‘come on wire.’ ”

Earlier on the card, longshot Awesome Pearl ($72) won the $75,000 Jonathan Kiser Novice Steeplechase Stakes by a nose over Kingdom. Kieran Norris rode the winner for Richard Valentine.