(from Laurel Park report)
Judiths Wild Rush was elevated to victory in the $62,200 Native Dancer Stakes at Laurel Park Saturday after finishing second by a nose to Your Bluffing, who was disqualified.
The Laurel Park stewards decided in favor of the claim of foul lodged by jockey Julian Pimental, who argued that his mount had been bothered by Your Bluffing in the drive to the finish line.
The revised order of finish became Judiths Wild Rush first, Your Bluffing second and late closing Easy Red a close-up third, less than a length back.
Judiths Wild Rush broke alertly, then settled in fourth as Your Bluffing raced just ahead of him in third. Your Bluffing moved around the pacesetters to take the lead around the turn, but Judiths Wild Rush caught him in deep stretch, and the pair fought to the finish line. Your Bluffing was denied a 15th career victory on his home track.
“I can’t believe they took me down,” said Jose Caraballo, who rode Your Bluffing. “Before I came out, he came in. He couldn’t pass me, so he got right next to me. My horse was looking for a challenge. Mike Trombetta had him ready, and he ran a great race. What a warrior.”
The winner, a son of Wild Rush owned by R.D.M. Racing Stable who is based at Woodbine for the majority of the year, won three Sovereign Awards as one of Canada’s best horses in three of the last four years: 2003 (champion 2-year-old) and champion sprinter in 2005 and 2006. It was his seventh added money victory, but his first stakes win south of the border.
Trainer Julian Canet said, “I knew they were doing a little bumping, but I didn’t know if it was my horse or the other horse. But when the jockey came off he said the other horse was carrying him out, and I said take a shot at claiming foul, see what happens. It turned it around.”
The time of the one mile race on the fast main track was 1:36.43. Judiths Wild Rush paid $8.20, $4.20, and $4.20 and topped a $70.80 exacta and $907 triple with Your Bluffing ($8.80, 4) and Easy Red ($7.60). Favored City Attraction set the pace and finished fourth.
(Chart, Equibase)