Trial by Jury surprises in Dallas Turf Cup

Gamblers treated the like a two-horse race, but most failed to account for Trial By Jury, who outfinished 1-2 favorite New Export and 2-1 Waupaca to win Lone Star's premier turf race by a neck on Saturday.

But who could blame the handicappers for the oversight? Trial By Jury paid $26, a real longshot in a six-horse field, and he had won all of one race from 12 tries the last two calendar years, that having come by a scant head in a third-level allowance last month at Lone Star. In fact, Trial By Jury had lost several times in Southern California claimers this past winter, including a third-place finish for a $40,000 tag before he was moved to Texas. But he was good enough to win the winner's share of a $200,000 purse in a race newly awarded Grade 3 status this year.

Ridden by the well-traveled Alfredo Juarez Jr., Trial By Jury was allowed to settle in fifth behind a slow pace set on a wet turf course labeled yielding. Waupaca and New Export, a Brazilian import shipped in by trainer Bobby Frankel, alternated on the lead through a half-mile in 50.72 seconds. Trial By Jury came out for the stretch run and pushed his way past the favorite in deep stretch, stopping the timer in 1:52.69 for one and one-eighth miles. New export was second, a length in front of Waupaca.

Trial By Jury is trained for Luciano Martinez by Bruce Jackson, who also saddled last-place Brego.

War Bridle wins McGregor

Even-money favorite War Bridle won the $40,000 Carter McGregor Jr. Memorial Stakes two races after the Turf Cup, while 9-year-old Boots on Sunday, making his first start since 2002, tired and missed the board after racing in close attendance to the early pace. War Bridle set the pace from the rail and narrowly held off a steady stretch rally from Nuttyboom to win by a head. Rain on Monday, Boots On Sunday's 3-year-old full brother, finished a non-threatening third. War Bridle paid $4 and was timed in 1:10.50 for six furlongs.