Electrocutionist Wins Close Juddmonte International

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In a blanket finish that could have been won by any one of five horses in the final furlong, the Italian-trained Electrocutionist pulled off a thrilling victory in Tuesday's Juddmonte International Stakes (Eng-I) at York to secure a first prize of £266,800 ($482,043).

The 4-year-old son of Red Ransom was produced to telling effect by his jockey Mick Kinane -- enjoying a golden run of big race victories -- to grab victory virtually on the line by a neck from the Japanese superstar Zenno Rob Roy.

With the 9-4 favorite Ace the first to make his move under Kieren Fallon with 1 1/2 furlongs to go, a wall of horses soon lined up besides him to challenge.

Last year's runner-up Norse Dancer was the first to crack at the furlong pole, when eventual third Maraahel (8-1) took it up. Zenno Rob Roy (4-1) was just behind him and had to be switched by his jockey Yutaka Take.

But once Electocutionist (9-2) had hit his full stride, he and Kinane swept past the rivals to narrowly get up on the line. Zenno Rob Roy finished well to take second, a head in front of Maraahel.

"I probably gave him just a shade too much to do," Kinane said afterwards. "He struggled a bit on the ground (officially described as good) but once I got him going I always thought I would get to them. I rode the horse last week in some work and I was pleasantly surprised by the feel he gave me."

Winning trainer Valfredo Valiani admitted he had been a bit nervous about the waiting tactics employed by Kinane, adding "He's a very courageous horse and Kinane is a very good jockey so he must have had his reasons for doing that."

Valiani described the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I) over 12 furlongs on October 2 as "the ideal race" for Electrocutionist but also mentioned the John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) as a possible target.

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