Making the 32nd start of his successful career, Csaba ran like his old self while posting a 1 3/4-length victory in the $75,000 Skip Trial Stakes July 19 at Gulfstream Park (VIDEO).
Equipped with blinkers for his second straight stakes victory, the 5-year-old son of Kitten's Joy out of the War Chant filly High Chant collected his ninth stakes victory while asserting his class over seven rivals in the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds and up.
"I put blinkers on him for his last two starts. That's given him a new lease on life. He's gotten a lot sharper," trainer Phil Gleaves said. "He was acting sharper saddling; he was sharper in the paddock. It was something to change him up a little bit."
Csaba broke alertly under jockey Manoel Cruz but settled a few lengths off the pace as favored Palatine Hill, pressed by Sr. Quisqueyano, set a solid early pace around the first turn and into the backstretch, posting fractions of :23.89 and :46.83.
After relaxing nicely on the outside, Csaba advanced to challenge Palatine Hill around the turn after six furlongs in 1:10.78 and into the stretch before drawing off to a comfortable victory. Grand Tito made a sweeping challenge under Santiago Gonzalez on the turn into the homestretch but settled for second. Palatine Hill and Kings Over, both trained by Peter Walder, finished in a dead-heat for third, a half-length farther back.
Csaba, though, never really had an anxious moment while turning in a thoroughly professional effort as the 7-2 third choice.
"We had nice position down the backstretch and when I asked him at the three-eighths pole he responded well," said Cruz, who rode three winners on Saturday's card. "I've ridden him quite a bit and he's such a good horse."
Csaba ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.12 on a fast track while earning $45,105 for owners Bruce Hollander and Cary Shapoff, boosting his career bankroll to $673,070. Improving his career line to 13-3-5 in 32 outings, he returned $9.40, $5.40, and $3.
"I was a little bit concerned he was too far back going down the backside, but I took a look at the teletimer, and they were going too fast—46-and-4—so it didn't concern me that much," Gleaves said. "This horse is a grinder. He just grinds away, and I just love him. He just does what it takes to win."
Csaba, who was bred in Kentucky by Ken and Sarah Ramsey, likely earned a trip to Saratoga Race Course for a start in the $100,000 Alydar Stakes Aug. 17.
