Shekky Shebaz delivers in Claiming Crown Canterbury

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Coming off a third-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, Shekky Shebaz was really the marquee name among the nearly 100 horses entered for Saturday’s Claiming Crown program at Gulfstream Park. And the odds-on favorite didn’t disappoint, rallying from off the pace to a comfortable three-quarter-length victory over defending champion Rocket Heat in the $110,000 Claiming Crown Canterbury.

Shekky Shebaz, who became eligible for the Canterbury after winning a $25,000 claiming dash over the Saratoga turf course on July 27, was purchased privately by his present connections and transferred to trainer Jason Servis shortly after that victory. He returned quick dividends for his new owners, winning the restricted Lucky Coin Stakes at Saratoga before finishing second in the Belmont Turf Sprint as a prelude to his big effort in the Breeders’ Cup.

With Paco Lopez aboard for the first time, Shekky Shebaz rated off a blistering early pace set by Rocket Heat, who posted splits of 20.73 and 42.54 seconds for the opening half-mile of the five-furlong Canterbury. Shekky Shebaz gradually overtook the leader at that point before edging clear late under confident handling. Rocket Heat, a wire-to-wire winner of the 2018 Canterbury, held on to be second, finishing a length in front of Faction Cat.

Shekky Shebaz, a 4-year-old son of Cape Blanco, completed the distance over the firm course in 54.25 seconds and paid $2.60.

“He’s just a character, he’s a lot of fun,” said Michael Dubb, who owns Shekky Shebaz in partnership with Madaket Stables and Bethlehem Stables. “We like humble horses from humble beginnings. He got hit a little leaving the gate, but I thought he had everything in hand. He was ready. We love racing at Gulfstream Park. It’s like a second home. And when you get beat in the Breeders’ Cup and know your next race is the Claiming Crown, we’re all in.”

Brother Chub, narrowly beaten in the 2018 Claiming Crown Express, returned to register a close and hard-fought victory of his own in this year's renewal of the six-furlong dash for horses who have started for a claiming price of $8,000 or less lifetime. Brother Chub rallied off a hotly contested pace to take command in late stretch before narrowly withstanding a final surge from the wide running Fast Pass. It was another 2 1/2 lengths farther back to a tiring Take Charge Dude.

Brother Chub was ridden to victory by Jorge Vargas Jr. for trainer Michael Moore. The Maryland invader completed six furlongs in 1:10.09 over the fast track and paid $22.40.

Trainer Peter Walder, whose Fast Pass dropped the heartbreaking decision to Brother Chub in the Express, got some redemption a short time later after his Liza Star withstood an early pace duel to register a one length victory over Potra Liza in the $110,000 Claiming Crown Glass Slipper. Cuddle Kitten, the 8-5 favorite, forced the pace, weakened late and finished another 1 3/4 lengths farther back in third.

Liza Star, a daughter of Cool Coal Man, ran a mile in 1:36.62 and returned $12.40 for her sixth win in the last seven starts.

A lightning fast and contested pace helped set things up for Thinkin Cowtown who rallied to a half-length decision over Unaquoi in the $110,000 Claiming Crown Distaff Dash. Blue Magic rallied belatedly to be third.

Thinkin Cowtown was one of two horses in the Distaff Dash trained by Georgina Baxter. Tyler Gaffalione rode the winner who paid $5 as the favorite in a field of nine filly and mare turf sprinters.

Royal Squeeze returned to his favorite track to capture the $110,000 Claiming Crown Rapid Transit despite engaging in a three-horse speed duel for the opening five-eighths of the seven-furlong event. Royal Squeeze, who has now won nine of his 18 starts at Gulfstream Park, finished 1 3/4 lengths in front of the 27-1 Empire Power, with D T Goodie checking home third.

Royal Squeeze, a Florida-bred stakes winner earlier in the year, completed seven furlongs in 1:23.63 and returned $7.80.