Webslinger wins American Turf in tight finish
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- In a furious scramble to the line, it was Webslinger who emerged with a nose victory in the Grade 2, $500,000 American Turf for 3-year-olds on Saturday at Churchill Downs.
The top three finishers in the 1 1/16-mile race were separated by about a half-length.
Mo Stash, winner of the Grade 3 Transylvania Stakes on the front end last month at Keeneland, led through an opening quarter of 23.81 seconds and a half in 47.97 while pressed by longshot Desert Duke. Webslinger, trained by Mark Casse and ridden by Javier Castellano, was sixth on the outside after that half.
On the far turn, Mo Stash was put to a drive and put away the fading Desert Duke. But Carl Spackler, favored off an impressive maiden victory in his second start, was coming on his outside. Meanwhile, Webslinger tipped out and was roused by Castellano to launch his rally in earnest.
Far Bridge rallied up the rail despite being in tight quarters for a stride or two, with Major Dude rallying between horses as Carl Spackler dropped back and Mo Stash tried to stay on. But Webslinger got up by a nose on the outside, with Far Bridge second and Major Dude third.
Far Bridge and Major Dude are both trained by Todd Pletcher.
Joel Rosario rode Far Bridge, who lost for the first time in his third start. "He gave me everything I asked," he said.
Mo Stash held fourth by a half-length over Johannes, who rallied from last after six furlongs. After Johannes, in order, came Behind Enemy Lines, Andthewinneris, Carl Spackler, Mendelssohns March, Anglophile, Scoobie Quando, Otago, and Desert Duke. Talk of the Nation was a late scratch as the field was warming up.
The final time for the 1 1/16 miles on turf rated firm was 1:41.54. Webslinger paid $47.34 to win.
Webslinger was given a 94 Beyer Speed Figure.
Webslinger is owned by the D J Stable of Leonard and Jonathan Green.
Webslinger broke his maiden in his third start last September at Monmouth Park, winning the Nownownow Stakes. He then finished 11th in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf.
Webslinger started this season with a victory in an allowance-optional claiming race in February at Gulfstream. He was beaten a half-length when second in the Colonel Liam Stakes there in March, and then was third in the Transylvania at Keeneland in April when no one was able to reel in Mo Stash.
"He was really sharp today," Casse said after the American Turf. "I told Javi, 'I think he's better than he was a month ago,’”
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