Sharp Sensation uses stretch punch to win Turf Monster

BENSALEM, Pa. - In his last two starts, Sharp Sensation had vied for the lead and tired. On Monday in the Grade 3 Turf Monster at Parx, jockey David Moran got him to settle early and the result was a neck win over 2-1 favorite Ben's Cat.

Sharp Sensation is based with trainer Reade Baker at Woodbine. He shipped here for the Grade 3 Parx Dash in July but weakened to fifth after racing on the pace. In his most recent start, he had tired to finish seventh in the Grade 2 Play the King at Woodbine.

In the $300,000 Turf Monster, a five-furlong sprint, Sharp Sensation settled in fifth early while saving ground. He began to advance on the turn while angling outward, took the lead from Bold Thunder in upper stretch, then hung on for the decision.

"Reade told me the horse had been too strong the last time he was here and to see if I could get him to relax a bit this time," Moran said.

Ben's Cat had an eventful trip as he bobbled and steadied along the inside on the turn. He finished fast and just missed winning the Turf Monster for the third time.

Tightend touchdown made a wide move into the stretch but lacked the needed punch late and finished third, 1 1/2 lengths behind Ben's Cat.

California shipper Private Zone, making his first start since last November, was shuffled back a bit early along the inside, came wide into the stretch and finished fourth, 1 1/4 lengths farther back.

Sharp Sensation, a 4-year-old owned by Jim and Susan Hill, covered the five furlongs in 57.39 seconds following fractions of 21.87 and 44.96. He is now 5 for 8 in his career, and the $180,000 he earned in the Turf Monster more than doubled his earnings to $353,640