Warrior's Pride leads all the way in Bob Umphrey Turf Sprint
Warrior’s Pride, the only 3-year-old in the field, used his abundant speed to run his older competition off their feet, leading throughout and holding off a late surge from the 8-year-old Tiger Blood to register a neck victory in Sunday’s $100,000 Bob Umphrey Turf Sprint at Gulfstream Park.
Warrior’s Pride entered the Umphrey having won his only previous start on grass, the five-furlong Texas Glitter, in similar gate-to-wire fashion on March 20. The Umphrey was the first time Warrior’s Pride raced against older horses in nine starts.
Warrior’s Pride wasted little time sprinting clear under Emisael Jaramillo, rated along through a 22.03 opening quarter and 44.95 half, settled into the stretch with a comfortable advantage, then held sway when roused through the final furlong. Tiger Blood broke well, raced within easy striking distance while saving ground on the turn, eased out for the drive, then rallied mildly to be second-best. Yes I Am Free chased the winner for a half and weakened.
Caribou Club, the 8-5 favorite, dropped well off the early leader and was never a serious factor, finishing a seventh, a neck in front of Grade 2 winner Ete Indien, who lost all chance after breaking poorly while making his first start in nearly 13 months.
Warrior’s Pride, a homebred son of Poseidon’s Warrior, is trained by Antonio Cioffi. He completed five furlongs on a firm course in :57.30 and paid $21.00.