Heavily favored Fury Kapcori earned his first graded stakes win and his fourth victory in a row with a front-running romp in the $100,000 Precisionist Stakes (gr. III) on the Kentucky Derby day card May 3 at Santa Anita Park (VIDEO).
With Rafael Bejarano aboard, the strapping son of Tiznow took the lead shortly after the start and held a measured advantage over Handsome Mike into the stretch before drawing clear. He won by 5 3/4 lengths in a time of 1:42.11 for the 1 1/16-mile distance. Handsome Mike held second, with Majestic City third, three-quarters of a length farther back.
Co-owner Jerry Hollendorfer trains 4-year-old Fury Kapcori for partners Rick Awtrey and George Todaro. The Precisionist, formerly the Mervyn LeRoy Handicap at shuttered Hollywood Park, is a major prep for the $500,000 Gold Cup (gr. I), to be held for the first time at Santa Anita Park June 28.
Diamond A Racing bred Fury Kapcori in Kentucky out of the winning Go for Gin mare Gin Running. A $100,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase in 2011 through consignor Taylor Made Sales Agency, the bay colt is a full brother to grade II winner Tizfiz.
Breaking last from the far outside post in a field of six older horses, Fury Kapcori took control early by one length and proceeded to show the way through fractions of :23.25, :46.48, and 1:10.25. Grade II winner Handsome Mike, staying close for Mario Gutierrez, tried in vain to match strides with the 2-5 favorite rounding the far turn but fell back in the stretch as Fury Kapcori found his best stride, pulling clear by three lengths at midstretch.
Handsome Mike was second best ahead of Majestic City and Edwin Maldonado, who ran evenly for third, 1 3/4 lengths in front of American Blend. Secretsatmidnight and Batti Man followed.
Coming off a three-quarter length win in the Santana Mile March 30, Fury Kapcori ran his career mark to 6-4-1 in 14 starts and earnings of $479,880.
Under equal weights of 119 pounds, the winner paid $2.80, $2.40, and $2.10. Handsome Mike, switching from turf for trainer Doug O'Neill, returned $7.20 and $3.80 while completing a $23.40 exacta. Majestic City paid $2.80.
Zeewat scratched.
Fury Kapcori leaves the others behind in the Precisionist Stakes.
Benoit Photo