Sum of the Parts, taking the lead shortly after the start, led at every pole to capture the $400,000 Red Legend Stakes by 3 3/4 lengths in an upset at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races on the night of June 30 (VIDEO) .
Leandro Goncalves guided the son of Speightstown to his third consecutive win for trainer Tom Amoss and owners Klaravich Stables and William H. Lawrence. Sum of the Parts defeated seven other 3-year-olds in the seven-furlong event around two turns in a strong time of 1:23.98 over a fast track.
Sum of the Parts, who had never been farther than six furlongs, was sent off at odds of nearly 7-1 and paid $15.80, $5.80, and $4.20 in the fifth renewal of the Red Legend.
Farfellow Farms bred Sum of the Parts in Kentucky. The dark bay or brown colt, a $150,000 Barretts buy in March 2011, is out of Enjoy the Moment, by Slew's Royalty. Sum of the Parts shipped into West Virginia from Churchill Downs.
Il Villano ($3, $2.40), the 6-5 favorite with Jose Flores aboard, finished second, with Mr. Handsome ($7.60) and J. Acosta 6 3/4 lengths farther back in third.
“Tom has been training him on a six furlong training track, so he was prepped for the turns and the dirt," Goncalves said. "The only thing I was concerned about was the (distance) but I knew Tom would have him no less than 110%.
“He gave me a ton. I just waited on this horse. I rode him very confident. I could have waited even longer on this horse, but (Il Villano) came to us and I let him go.”
Sum of the Parts broke fourth but quickly took the lead along the inside and set a quick pace, clicking off the opening quarter mile in :22.37 and the half in :45.64. Sum of the Parts drew off to lead by three lengths rounding the turn and held clear under a drive through the short stretch.
Il Villano advanced into second after steadying off heels early but could not keep pace with Sum of the Parts while finishing a clear second. Mr. Handsome rallied from well back to get the show spot over second choice Flashy Dresser. Jake N Elwood, Majestic City , Always Smiling, and Innocent Man completed the order.
The victory, worth $235,200, was the fourth in eight tries for Sum of the Parts. Winner of the Tom Ridge Stakes at Presque Isle Downs in his most recent start May 15, Sum of the Parts has now banked $380,463.
Hansen, who won the Iowa Derby (gr. III) at Prairie Meadows shortly after the Red Legend, and Doctor Chit scratched.