Revved Up Motors Home in Stars and Stripes

(from Arlington Park report)
Live Oak Plantation's Revved Up overtook pacesetter Gwaihir near the top of the stretch and cruised to a two-length victory in the $197,750 Stars and Stripes Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IIIT) at Arlington Park on Sunday.

Brice Blanc partnered with the Christophe Clement-trained son of Sultry Song, who covered the 1 1/2-mile distance over firm turf in 2:28.29. The victory was the second straight stakes score for the 7-year-old gelding whose overall record improved to 10 wins from 24 starts. The $120,000 winner's share boosted his bankroll to $631,216.

Revved Up sat in second for much of the marathon affair while Gwaihir set a moderate pace of :25.27, :49.56 second for the half, 1:15.19 through three-quarters of a mile and a mile split of 1:39.86.

"It didn't look like there was much speed on paper," said Blanc, who was riding Revved Up for the first time in the Stars and Stripes. "(Christophe) told me to get the horse to relax. The leader went on and I sat off and relaxed. We got to the second turn and they pressured me a bit and I pressured them back. I asked him to pick it up at the half mile pole and he really responded."

Cloudy's Knight, ridden by Chris Emigh, followed Revved Up on the backstretch and into the final turn but was unable to catch the eventual winner in the stretch.

It was another two lengths back to third-place finisher Swagger Stick. Rochester, Gwaihir, Epicentre, Art Variety and Gottabeachboy completed the order of finish.

Sent off as the 5-2 favorite, Revved Up paid $7, $3.60 and $2,60. Cloudy's Knight returned $3.60 and $2.60. Swagger Stick paid $3.

(Chart, Equibase)