Equistar Wins Steeplechase Cup, Sets Course Mark

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Equistar set a course record in winning the $50,000 Michael Walsh Saratoga Steeplechase Cup by six lengths on Thursday at Saratoga Race Course.

Equistar ran 2 1-16 miles over hurdles in 3:36 1-5, one-fifth of a second faster than the previous mark. The 5-year-old was ridden by Cyril Murphy and returned $8.10, $3.90 and $3.20.

Storm Touch was second in the field of seven and paid $5.30 and $3.40, while Zabenz, the favorite, was another 4 3/4 lengths back in third and paid $3.10 to show.

Equistar's performance was a surprise to trainer Tom Voss.

``He dominated this race, and there wasn't anything that indicated he would put in this kind of race,'' he said. ``He's very lazy, like an old half-breed, but he never jumped as well as he did today.''

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