Stormofthecentury collared pacemaker Tightend Touchdown in deep stretch to capture the $350,000 Turf Monster Handicap (gr. IIIT) (VIDEO) in a 28-1 upset at Parx Racing, denying favored Ben's Cat a third straight victory in the turf sprint event.
Stewart Elliott rode Stormofthecentury to the gelding's third consecutive victory for Beechwood Racing Stable. The 5-year-old Florida-bred son of Dark Kestrel prevailed by three-quarters of a length in his stakes debut for trainer Louis Ruberto Jr., completing the five-furlong distance in :57.44 over a yielding course.
Stormofthecentury was forwardly placed along the inside as Tightend Touchdown showed the way over 10 rivals, clipping off quarter mile fractions of of :22.12 and :45.09 while leading outsider Wicked Tune.
Tightend Touchdown appeared to be in complete control for Kendrick Carmouche as Stormofthecentury eased off the rail in upper stretch and charged home with Ben's Cat also swinging into gear. Tightendtouchdown led by 2 1/2 lengths mid-stretch but could not hold off the streaking Stormofthecentury, who split foes to gain the lead approaching the wire.
Tightend Touchdown held second by a head as Ben's Cat, looking for his 23rd career victory, rallied a bit too belatedly for regular rider Julian Pimentel.
Stormofthecentury, coming off a 4 1/2-length allowance/optional claiming win on a good turf July 30 in his first start at the Philadelphia track, paid a whopping $59.40, $22.60, and $10.20 for his sixth win in 16 starts. He has now banked $349,499 after collecting $210,000 for the Turf Monster victory.
The winner was bred by the University of Florida Foundation out of the winning Blue Buckaroo mare As of Now.
Second choice Tightend Touchdown, trained by Jason Servis, paid $6.40 and $3.60 while completing a $335 exacta. Ben's Cat, the 2-1 pick for King Leatherbury and The Jim Stable, paid $2.60 to show after losing for just the second time in six starts on the Parx grass.
A P Elvis was fourth, followed by El Seventyseven, Strong Impact, Northern Hammer, Chamberlain Bridge, Console, Varsity, and Wicked Tune. This Ain't No Bull scratched.