Switched to dirt, Cupid's Claws romps in Tokyo City Cup

ARCADIA, Calif. – Through the Del Mar summer meeting, trainer Craig Dollase scouted the gelding Cupid’s Claws during morning training.

“I liked the way he moved on the dirt,” Dollase said.

Dollase claimed Cupid’s Claws for $50,000 on Sept. 5 at Del Mar, the day the 5-year-old finished third in an optional claimer at 1 3/8 miles on turf.

Sunday at Santa Anita, Cupid’s Claws had his dirt debut, and first start in a stakes, in the Grade 3 Tokyo City Cup. He took to the surface immediately, closing from fourth in a field of seven to win by a convincing 7 1/4 lengths.

Ridden by Flavien Prat, Cupid’s Claws ran 1 1/2 miles in a hand-timed 2:30.12. Owned by the partnership of Flawless Racing, Masino Racing Stable, Brian Flanagan, and Michael Jarvis, Cupid’s Claws earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 90.

Prat rode Cupid’s Claws for trainer Brian Koriner in the Sept. 5 race and worked the gelding on behalf of Dollase earlier this month.

“Flavien gave the thumps-up, and here we are,” Dollase said in the winner’s circle.

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Cupid’s Claws ($17) was never far from the front, stalking pacesetter Tizamagician through early fractions of 25.22 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 49.72 for a half-mile.

Tizamagician, the 2-1 second choice, led by a half-length over 2-1 favorite Combatant with a quarter-mile remaining. Cupid’s Claws was third at that point and quickly took command, holding a two-length advantage with a furlong remaining.

Tizmagician finished second, 1 1/4 lengths in front of Combatant, winner of the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap in March. Combatant is winless in four starts since the Big Cap.

Muralist finished fourth, followed by Bold Endeavor, Potantico, and Azul Coast.

Cupid’s Claws has won 4 of 18 starts and earned $172,296. He had 13 starts on turf and four on the synthetic surface at Golden Gate Fields before Sunday’s race.