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Turf Sprint Specialist Pure Sensation Retired

The 9-year-old gelding earned over $2 million in 38 starts.

Pure Sensation wins his fourth Turf Monster Stakes last year at Parx Racing

Pure Sensation wins his fourth Turf Monster Stakes last year at Parx Racing

Bill Denver/EQUI-PHOTO

Patricia Generazio's homebred Pure Sensation, a 9-year-old Zensational gelding, was retired following a seventh-place finish in the Aug. 8 Troy Stakes (G3T) at Saratoga Race Course.

Out of the Disco Rico mare Pure Disco, the popular gray was retired with a record of 14-5-7 from 38 starts and earnings of $2,004,050. 

"He's been amazingly consistent over the years. He was a very fast horse from the beginning, and he will be a tough guy to replace," trainer Christophe Clement said. "He was a very straightforward horse and very kind. He traveled all over the country. He ran last year in the Breeders' Cup and was the favorite in the race. It's extraordinary how long he lasted at the top level. It's a credit to Mr. and Mrs. Generazio and their breeding program." 

A multiple graded stakes winner, Pure Sensation enjoyed tremendous success at Parx Racing, where he captured the Parx Dash Stakes (G3T) three times (2016-17, 2019) and the Turf Monster Stakes (G3T) on four occasions (2015, 2017-19).

Pure Sensation graduated at third asking in October 2013 at Belmont Park and was stakes-placed twice in a productive juvenile campaign. He notched his first stakes win in the 2014 Quick Call Stakes at Saratoga and made the grade in September 2015 when taking his first Turf Monster.

In June 2016, Pure Sensation bested his fellow Generazio homebred and eventual stablemate Disco Partner  by a neck in the Jaipur Invitational Stakes (G3T) at Belmont. A year later, Disco Partner, this time under the care of Clement, turned the tables on Pure Sensation with a win in the Jaipur. Pure Sensation was fourth.

"What's special about the two of them is that they helped each other," said Clement's son and assistant, Miguel. "One would be on the lead, and the other would be closing."

Pure Sensation and Disco Partner squared off on seven occasions, with the latter earning a 3-2 edge on wins. Disco Partner was retired to stand at Rockridge Stud in Hudson, N.Y., at the end of last season. 

Clement noted the two long-standing gray turf sprinters will be missed on the track, but he said Pure Sensation may get to enjoy a new career at the racetrack.

"I'm not sure what Mr. Generazio would like to do yet, whether he wants him retired to the farm or if we can use him as a pony at the track because he would be a very popular pony if I can take him with us to Payson Park," Clement said. "He's a remarkable horse. He was a stakes horse as a 2-year-old, and he competed for seven years. This year I couldn't get him back to form, but he is healthy and sound and he looks well." 

Clement also sent out Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, and Bethlehem Stables' Shekky Shebaz in the Troy. The 5-year-old Cape Blanco gelding was elevated to second after being interfered with in the stretch run by Imprimis, who was disqualified from the top slot and placed third.

Shekky Shebaz finished third in the July 18 Wolf Hill Stakes at Monmouth Park in his first start since being transferred to Clement's care.

"He ran well. It was a better race than his first time with us at Monmouth," Clement said. "He finished very well. He got in trouble but still he was game and he tried. As long as he keeps going up, the Lucky Coin at the end of the meet would be a logical spot for him."

The Lucky Coin Stakes, a 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint for 4-year-olds and upward, is slated for Sept. 6 at Saratoga.