Dr. John A. Chandler’s homebred Seaspeak made quick work of his five overmatched rivals in the $200,000 Dallas Turf Cup Handicap (gr. IIIT) (VIDEO) May 25 at Lone Star Park, taking over after a half-mile and romping to a 4 3/4-length victory under Julien Leparoux.
Sent off as the 3-10 favorite, Seaspeak earned his first graded stakes win and avenged a disappointing disqualification in the Bryan Station (gr. IIIT) last fall at Keeneland when he hit the wire in front but was taken down for interference. The 4-year-old son of Mizzen Mast —Somerset West, by Gone West is a perfect two-for-two this season for trainer Ralph Nicks, as he entered the 1 1/8-mile Turf Cup off a dominating win in allowance company April 29 at Churchill Downs.
Bred in Kentucky, Seaspeak is now 3-2-2 from eight starts with earnings of $243,828.
The final time on firm turf was 1:48.23. Ernesto finished second, 2 3/4 lengths better than Red Rock Creek.
The winner paid $2.60, $2.10 and $2.10. The exacta (4-3) was $10.20.
Tricky Causeway set the pace in the Turf Cup, clicking off splits of :25.36 and :50.41 before Seaspeak cruised by on the outside to take the lead. Ernesto briefly challenged as the rounded the far turn, but Seaspeak responded emphatically when asked by Leparoux.