Surveillance wins Thanksgiving Classic and continues love affair with Fair Grounds

Surveillance picked up on Thursday where he left off this past spring at Fair Grounds, winning the $175,000 Thanksgiving Classic by a half-length.

A winner of three straight races in January and March at Fair Ground, Surveillance had lost seven in a row racing in Kentucky before winning on Thursday and running his Fair Grounds record to four wins (three on dirt, one turf) from five starts. Thursday’s victory, James Graham riding for trainer Keith Desormeaux, marked Surveillance’s first in stakes competition.

Heart Rhythm, a surprisingly heavy favorite at 11-10, was second, two lengths ahead of third-place Chattalot. Carribean Caper, Ready to Pounce, Long Weekend, and Simply Wicked rounded out the order of finish.

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Chattalot broke sharply, made a clear lead, and set manageable splits of 22.12 and 45.16, but his stride began shortening at the eighth pole as Surveillance closed on his outside and Heart Rhythm along the rail. Racing from fifth along the inside at the half-mile marker, Surveillance was guided outside by jockey James Graham to take aim on the pacesetter. He held Heart Rhythm at bay, clocking 1:09.93 for six furlongs over a fast track.

Desormeaux, who also is a part owner of Surveillance with Big Chief Racing and Rocker O Ranch, suggested gelding Surveillance last winter after the colt lost his first nine starts, and a form turnaround came quickly. A 5-year-old by Constitution out of Majorelle, by Mizzen Mast, Surveillance since has won four of 11 starts. Just look at him now.

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