King Cugat Wins Fourth Straight

Centennial Farms' Bill Mott trainee King Cugat continued his dominance of the sophomore turf division in the Midwest, winning the $150,000 Arlington Classic Stakes (gr. IIT) by 2 3/4 lengths Saturday over firm turf at Arlington International. King Cugat, the prohibitive favorite, returned $2.10 and $2.10. Due to the five-horse field, there was no show wagering. The winning exacta paid $3.80.

With Bolt setting the pace, King Cugat began his rally on the second turn, took the lead in upper stretch, and extended his lead in the final furlong, stopping the clock after 1 1/8 miles run in 1:48.16. Boyum finished second, 7 1/4 lengths ahead of El Ballezano. Womble came home fourth, followed by Bolt.

"The only reason I even handled him was because he loafed a little bit turning for home," said winning jockey Robby Albarado. "That' a good sign. It means he's still got a lot to learn."

King Cugat (Kingmambo--Tricky Game, by Majestic Light) completed his juvenile campaign with a 1 3/4-length victory in the $200,000 Prized Stakes. His 3-year-old debut came in May with a 2 3/4-length win in the Crown Royal American Turf (gr. IIIT). He followed that with a 6 1/4-length romp in the Jefferson Cup at Churchill Downs in June. He earned $90,000 for the win, his fifth in seven races. King Cugat was bred in Kentucky by Dinwiddie Farm. (Chart, Equibase)