Black Hawk Stable's Alsvid successfully defended his title in the $100,000 Aristides Stakes (gr. III) June 4 at Churchill Downs and snapped an 11-race winless streak in the process. Video: Aristides S. (G3)
Since last year's Aristides, the 7-year-old Officer gelding has been more than competitive, including in-the-money finishes in his last seven starts, but thrived on the familiar Churchill main track Saturday, holding off a charge from favored Limousine Liberal to win by a head.
Under jockey Chris Landeros, trainer Chris Hartman's runner broke best from post five in the field of six, but relaxed soon after and let Union Jackson take command of the lead. Alsvid raced a half-length off the pace of :22.08 and :45.10 through a half-mile, put a head in front in the stretch with Limousine Liberal looming on the outside and found just enough late. Alsvid finished off the six furlongs in 1:08.26 on a track rated fast.
"He’s got it, man," Landeros said. "Honestly though, 1:08 and 1/5, I can’t say he lost a step. He’s pretty incredible. I’m kind of speechless today more than anything. He beat some real nice horses today."
Off at 3-1, Alsvid paid $8.80, $3.20, and $2.60 across the board. Limousine Liberal delivered $2.60 and $2.10, while Union Jackson, who held for a clear third, brought $2.60 to show.
"Chris put a beautiful ride on him so it was a perfect trip, perfect ride and everything went smooth," Hartman said. "That’s a perfect race for that horse. It was a good race."
It was Alsvid's third graded stakes win, and 14th victory overall. He now has more than $1.2 million in earnings.
Barbados came in fourth, followed by Schivarelli and Grande Basin to complete the order of finish.
