Ten Most Wanted Romps Again at Hawthorne

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Ten Most Wanted returned to Hawthorne Saturday with a romping 6 3/4-length victory in the $250,000 National Jockey Club Handicap (gr. III).

Sent off at 1-5, Ten Most Wanted, with David Flores aboard for the first time, spotted pacesetter Flemish Cap a nine-length advantage on the backstretch before he began to cut into the edge with little urging on the home turn. By the time they hit the stretch, the 4-year-old son of Deputy Commander, carrying top weight of 121 pounds, was completely in control and simply ridden out to the easiest of victories over five opponents.

The final time was 1:49 2/5 on a fast track. Ten Most Wanted, winning for the first time since September's Super Derby (gr. II) at Louisiana Downs for trainer Wally Dollase, paid $2.40, $2.10 and $2.10. Colonial Colony, who returned $3 and $2.10, was 4 1/4 lengths in front of New York Hero, whose show was $2.10.

Flemish Cap carved out an opening quarter of :23 2/5 and a half-mile in :46 4/5 before fading to last. New York Hero led briefly on the turn after six furlongs in 1:11 2/5 before being inhaled by Ten Most Wanted, who rallied three wide on the turn.

The victory was worth $150,000 to the partnership of James Chisholm, Michael Jarvis, Paul Reddam, et al, and increased Ten Most Wanted's career total to $1,718,460.

Ten Most Wanted emerged as a top 3-year-old last year after winning the Illinois Derby (gr. II) by four lengths in his only other start at Hawthorne. Coming off a fifth-place showing in the New Orleans Handicap (gr. II) at Fair Grounds Feb. 29, he improved to 5-3-1 in 13 lifetime starts.

(Chart, Equibase)

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