Webslinger notches his fourth stakes win (Jenny Doyle/Past The Wire)
Churchill Downs Press Release
LOUISVILLE, Ky.— D.J. Stable LLC’s Webslinger, third last time out in the $1 million Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic (Grade I) on the Kentucky Derby undercard, collected the fourth stakes win of his career – and third at Churchill Downs – when he displayed a powerful closing kick to run down Louisville Stakes (GIII) winner Sugoi in deep stretch to prevail in Saturday night’s second running of the $165,900 Chorleywood Overnight Stakes by 1 ½ lengths.
Trained by Mark Casse, 4-year-old Webslinger ran 1 3/8 miles over firm turf in 2:14.58 under jockey Jose Ortiz.
In somewhat of a surprise move, Stone Age (IRE) went to the front in the turf marathon ahead of Sugoi, who led from gate-to-wire in last month’s Louisville Stakes. The two were well clear of the others through fractions of :24.47, :48.38, 1:13.72 and 1:38.55 as Webslinger relaxed behind with only one horse beat, Bold Act (IRE), in the field of seven older horses.
“He broke well today and he never really shows much speed early,” Ortiz said. “So, I dropped to the rail and tried to save as much ground as I could. He’s pretty easy to ride so I was confident whenever I needed to tip him out that I’d be able to. I knew the pace would be fast when I saw tonight (jockey) Brian (Hernandez Jr.) go to the lead (on Stone Age) over Sugoi who had an easy lead in the Louisville Stakes when he went :50 for the half-mile. So I just let my horse travel well within himself.”
Webslinger was asked for his best run midway through the final turn and he quickly improved position as Sugoi grabbed the lead from a tiring Stone Age (IRE) off the final turn. Webslinger tipped out to the four-path in upper stretch and charged home to collar Sugoi inside final sixteenth of a mile for the convincing victory.
“He fought pretty hard to the wire,” Ortiz said. “I think the way he settled today, he should have no issues going an extra furlong if he needed to.”
Webslinger, the 7-5 betting favorite, rewarded his backers by paying $2 mutuel returns of $4.98, $3.04 and $2.26. Sugoi, the 7-2 third choice under jockey Julien Leparoux, returned $4.26 and $2.60. Bold Act (IRE), ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, was another three-quarters of a length back in third and paid $2.38 as the 2-1 second betting choice.
Anglophile was fourth and was followed by Stone Age (IRE), Red Run and Winning Spirit (GER). King Curlin, Tawny Port, Utah Beach and Wind Twist were scratched.
The Chorleywood was Webslinger’s third stakes win beneath Churchill Downs’ Twin Spires. Last year, he won both the $500,000 American Turf (GII) and $225,000 Audubon during the Spring Meet. Additionally, Webslinger won the $510,000 Nownownow at Monmouth Park as a 2-year-old.
The $105,836 Chorleywood first prize pushed Webslinger’s bankroll to $1,371,156 with a record of 5-4-4 in 17 starts.
Webslinger is a gelded son of Constitution out of the Hard Spun mare Arana and was bred in Kentucky by Ken and Sarah Ramsey.
The Chorleywood is named in honor of the Thoroughbred retirement farm located in nearby Prospect, Ky. in Oldham County. The 25.1-acre property was originally a Thoroughbred farm owned by George and Janet Falk, dubbed Sunny Acres Farm. The property is now owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated CEO Bill Carstanjen, who partnered with the Thoroughbred transition program Second Stride to provide rehabilitation, retraining and committed adoptive homes to retired racehorses, broodmares and young Thoroughbreds not suited to the track. Chorleywood generally houses 16 transitioning Thoroughbreds at any one time and may serve 80 horses over a year.
