United looks ready for another BC Turf try with John Henry score

In the last 19 months, United has won four of 10 races when ridden by Flavien Prat, a span that includes three graded stakes wins and a game second in the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Turf.

Prat always had United off the pace or stalking the lead, a strategy that typically left United in a good position.

In Saturday’s Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship, Prat tried a new tactic – guiding United to the lead in the $201,000 race at 1 1/4 miles. Allowed to set a slow pace, United led throughout for his fourth stakes win of 2020.

“I always thought he was better with a target, but he was very happy on the lead,” Prat said.

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The win is likely to lead to a start in the BC Turf at Keeneland on Nov. 7. In the same race at Santa Anita last November, United was 51-1 and finished a head behind Bricks and Mortar, the eventual Horse of the Year.

United has won four of six starts since the 2019 BC Turf. United won three Grade 2 races at Santa Anita and Del Mar from February to July and was beaten for the first time this year when second by a head at 7-10 in the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap, closing through traffic to just miss catching Red King.

Prat wanted to avoid a similar situation in the John Henry Turf Championship.

United led by 1 1/2 lengths through the first half-mile, setting a pace of 24.57 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 49.07 for a half-mile.

“It didn’t seem like there was much speed in the race,” Prat said.

United led by two lengths with a furlong remaining and won by 1 1/2 lengths over Originaire, who closed along the rail through the final three furlongs under jockey Abel Cedillo.

“It was a slow pace,” Cedillo said. “He ran his race. He needed a little more speed.

“I couldn’t send him. He’s a one-move horse.”

Originaire (7-2) finished a neck in front of 61-1 Another Mystery, who closed from fifth. Proud Pedro finished fourth, followed by Oscar Dominguez, Salvator Mundi, and Next Shares.

United was timed in 1:59.17 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 103. By Giant’s Causeway, United races for Larry, Nancy and Jaime Roth, under the stable name LNJ Foxwoods. Trained by Richard Mandella, United has won 7 of 16 starts and earned $1,413,549.