Tiger Hunt Stalking Winner of Cradle Stakes

Team Valor Stable's Tiger Hunt overcame a bad start in his second career outing to post a 1 1/4-length win in Monday's $200,000 Miller Genuine Draft Cradle Stakes for 2-year-olds at Cincinnati's River Downs.

Ridden by Larry Melancon for trainer Elliot Walden, Tiger Hunt ran down frontrunning Lightnin N Thunder, who was six lengths clear in the stretch under Rene Douglas, to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Blushing Indian, the 9-10 favorite ridden by Robby Albarado, was third, five lengths behind the winner. The final time was 1:49 for the 1 1/16-mile juvenile test on a track listed as good.

Tiger Hunt was pinched back at the start and was eighth in the 10-horse field in the opening quarter mile. The son of Kris S. raced well wide into the final turn, but angled in and found room at the rail, drawing away from the tiring Lightnin N Thunder, who was drifting our at the end. Blushing Indian stalked the leader into the stretch but had little left for the drive.

The winner, who earned $120,000, debuted with a maiden victory at Churchill Downs July 5.

WinStar Farm bred Tiger Hunt, who is out of the Conquistador Cielo mare Thega, in Kentucky.

The 4-1 third choice paid $10.60, $5 and $3.20. Lightnin N Thunder returned $5 and $3.20. Blushing Indian's show price was $2.60.

(Chart, Equibase)