Grade 1 winner Burnham Square continued his raid of long-distance turf tests in Kentucky with a hard-fought neck triumph over Chapman's Peak in the $217,500 Chorleywood Stakes June 13 at Churchill Downs.
Trained by Ian Wilkes, 4-year-old gelding Burnham Square ran 1 3/8 miles over firm turf in 2:13.96 under jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. for owner/breeder Whitham Thoroughbreds.
Chapman's Peak led the field of eight older horses out of the gate through an opening quarter-mile in :25.41, but Burnham Square assumed command the first time the field crossed the wire and clipped off fractions of :50.40, 1:15.62, and 1:39.74. Chapman's Peak drew even with Burnham Square in the final turn from the outside. The two raced even down the stretch with Chapman's Peak in the three path and Burnham Square hugging—and bumping—the rail, but Burnham Square surged at the finish for the determined neck victory.
Dancin in Da'nile was another 4 1/2 lengths back in third.
Heavily favored, Burnham Square returned $2.24 for a $2 wager.
"They made him run today," Hernandez said. "It was a different strategy than normal. He got a little aggressive going into the turn, but he traveled nicely once we got on the lead. He really had to sprint home to put (Chapman's Peak) away. Once he saw that horse, he really took off again. His class really showed today."
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The Chorleywood pushed Burnham Square's bankroll to $2,276,644 with a record of 6-4-1 in 14 starts.
Burnham Square is a son of Liam's Map , sire of grade 1 winners Deterministic and Napoleon Solo. Liam's Map stands for $50,000 at Lane's End in Kentucky.
Video: Chorleywood S. (BT)
La Rascasse Scores in Monomoy Girl
La Rascasse, owned by John Stewart's Resolute Racing, impressed in her stakes debut as she put away pacesetter Knickleandime and turned back all challengers to win Saturday's $175,000 Monomoy Girl Overnight Stakes by 2 1/4 lengths over Point of Reference. Grade 1 winner Percy's Bar, the even-money favorite, finished fifth in the field of seven 3-year-old fillies.
After a debut maiden win in April at Keeneland, La Rascasse remained unbeaten in two starts by clocking 1 1/16 miles in a 1:43.13.
Axel Conception rode the winner for trainer Will Walden.
Stakes-placed Knickleandime went to the front through early splits of :23.42 and :47.46, as La Rascasse relaxed off her right hip in second. La Rascasse was asked to move midway through the final turn, and she quickly spurted clear after clocking 6 furlongs in 1:11.46. She paid $5.88 to win.
Point of Reference rallied from last for second and A. P.'s Girl was third.
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"Axel gave her a great trip," Walden said. "She sort of inherited the lead around the turn. She got a little green out there by herself, but that will improve with more experience. ... We were able to get a jump on the other fillies and Axel rode her perfectly."
Bred by Bill Klislt, La Rascasse is by 2020 Horse of the Year Authentic , who stands for $15,000 at Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky.
