Gr. I Winner Sudan Due for Turf Cup
by Blood-Horse Staff
Date Posted: 11/30/2007 7:55:24 PM
Last Updated: 12/2/2007 1:41:10 PM

Gary Tanaka is planning on running his Sudan, a group I stakes winner in Italy, in the $250,000 Hollywood Turf Cup (gr. IT) on Dec. 8.
Photo: Matt Goins
Gary Tanaka's Sudan, a group I stakes winner in Italy, will be flown from England this weekend to run in the $250,000 Hollywood Turf Cup (gr. IT) on Dec. 8.
           
“He has been training at Newmarket with Michael Jarvis,” said Francoise Dupuis, racing manager for Tanaka, on Nov. 30.

Sudan, a 4-year-old Irish-bred colt, has recorded two firsts, two seconds and three thirds in 12 starts in Europe and earned $168,651.

A chestnut by Peinte Celebre out of the Woodman mare Sarabande, Sudan won the Gran Premio di Milano (Ity-I) on June 17. He finished 10th in his last start, beaten by 48 lengths in the Nicator Stockholm Cup International in Sweden on Sept. 9.

“He had to take the boat to Sweden and got sick,” said Dupuis, explaining the poor performance. “He was training so well after he recovered that Mr. Jarvis wanted to ship him to Aqueduct for the Red Smith (Nov. 10), but Mr. Tanaka already had another horse in the race, Musketier, who finished third.

“So Mr. Tanaka decided on the Turf Cup instead,” continued Dupuis. “Sudan likes a firm course, and should do well here. Mr. Jarvis is sending an assistant to saddle him, but Sudan will stay in California with a trainer yet to be decided. Patrick Valenzuela will ride.”

Tanaka won the 2004 Hollywood Turf Cup, which is contested at 12 furlongs, with South American import Pellegrino.

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