Shore Runner overcomes traffic in Lucky Coin

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Drawing the rail in 5 1/2-furlong turf sprints is usually a recipe for trouble, and Shore Runner found plenty of that before finally getting clear to surge past Sharp Sensation at the wire for a nose decision in Monday’s $100,000 Lucky Coin Stakes at Saratoga. The victory was the sixth in a row for Shore Runner and first in a stakes.

Shore Runner was bottled up in mid-pack while trapped near the inside for the opening half-mile of the Lucky Coin. Jockey Kendrick Carmouche eased Shore Runner out a bit once settling into the stretch, and they got forced out even farther by Spring to the Sky nearing the eighth pole. Shore Runner showed a huge turn of foot to be along in the final stride.

Shore Runner’s connections and backers had to sweat out a claim of foul by the trainer of last-place finisher Sonny Inspired, as well as a stewards' inquiry, before the result was made official.

Sharp Sensation stalked the early pace while racing outside horses, forged to the lead nearing midstretch and just failed to last. He finished a half-length in front of Amelia’s Wild Ride, who was third in a well-bunched field.

Shore Runner, claimed for $62,500 by trainer Joe Sharp in the interests of Brad Grady on June 10 at Belmont Park, completed the distance over a firm course in 1:01 and paid $4.70.

“It was a tough trip,” said Sharp. “I had all the confidence in the world in Kendrick and he gave him a great ride out of the one hole. Nobody wants to be inside going short on the grass and he made the best of that situation. We had to sweat it out right to the end, including the inquiry. But no harm done. We jumped on the bandwagon at the right time. The horse deserves all the credit.”