WinStar Farm's General Election captured his second graded stakes with a come-from-behind victory in the $110,400 Jefferson Cup (gr. IIIT) for 3-year-olds at Churchill Downs Sept. 28 (VIDEO).
General Election, bred in Kentucky by Meg Buckley and Mike Buckley, won the grade III Arlington Classic on the grass in May after running second in the grade III Lexington Stakes on the Keeneland Polytrack in April. General Election, by Harlan's Holiday out of the Kingmambo mare Menekineko, is trained by Kellyn Gorder.
Ridden by Joe Rocco Jr., General Election broke last in the field of seven as Tate's Landing took the early initiative through fractions of :22.89, :46.48, and 1:11.36 on firm turf. General Election gradually improved his position, put himself within striking distance mid-stretech, and reeled in Redwood Kitten, who had a two-length lead in the lane after rating in third, to win by a neck.
Redwood Kitten finished second, 2 1/4 lengths ahead of Gentleman's Kitten. Miceli finished fourth, with One More Cat, Tate's Landing, and Balino following.
The final time for one mile on grass was 1:35.96.
General Election paid $6.20, $3.40, and $2.40. Redwood Kitten returned $3.20 and $2.40, and Gentlemen's Kitten paid $3. The exacta returned $22 and the trifecta $70.80
General Election has won four of 10 starts with two second-place finishes, good for earnings of $285,189. He also won the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes earlier this year on Polytrack Turfway Park.
