Last minute surge by Imponente Purse helped him land the Sunset Handicap for trainer A. C. Avila
Described as a lazy horse by both trainer A. C. Avila and jockey Chantal Sutherland, Imponente Purse proved it to be somewhat true as he surged from last position to cross the wire to win a race for the first time in 2 years.
The 5-year-old bay gelding bagged the Grade 3 $100,000 Sunset Handicap at Hollywood Park on 17 July.
Under jockey Chantal Sutherland, Imponente Purse came off the pace to win the last graded stakes race of the spring/summer meet at Hollywood Park.
The results could’ve varied if the 5-year-old horse, Acclamation had been a part of the race, especially since he was considered the favourite before falling victim to an early scratch.
Donald Warren trained Acclamation won his last two races, Grade 1 Whittingham Memorial on 11 June at Hollywood Park and prior to that Grade 2 Jim Murray on 14 May also at Hollywood Park. Acclamations’ next target could be the Grade 1 Eddie Read Stakes at
Del Mar run on 23 July.
With the background knowledge of Imponente Purse being lazy, jockey Chantal Sutherland vigorously angled the five-year-old bay gelding with more than a distance of 3 furlongs remaining in the 1 ½ mile event.
Imponente Purse began to respond in earnest, as the pair bolted from way behind to catch up with the leaders. No time was spent rallying, because it was already a much exciting spectacle, lost his foes wondering what happened as he crossed the wire beating
his competition by 1 ¾ lengths.
In a field of seven, Imponente Purse was sent as the second favourite despite his prior performances sprung a few surprises in the ranks as he completed the 1 ½ mile distance in 2 minutes 26.65 seconds.
At first it was a three horse race between the favored Celtic New Year, Falcon Rock and Restless Soul.
They exchanged leads throughout the race but the first one who showed signs of weakness were Restless Soul after running a good race.
The seven-year-old bay filly, Restless Soul faded away to finish sixth, Falcon Rock who assumed the leaders position from Celtic New Year behind his for third under jockey Victor Espinoza, 3 ½ lengths behind Imponente Purse.
Mesmerizing run by Imponente Purse deserved the win and some luck, as she was eluded by it in the Grade 2 San Juan Capistrano at Santa Anita to finish second by an agonizing head on 17 April.
Finishing sixth in the massively populated One-mile optional claiming allowance race, where he had troubles with the traffic on 2 July.
Sent as a second choice favourite, Imponente Purse carried weight of 116 pounds, owned by Luiz Fernando, Imponente Purse has gone on to win 4 races out of 19 starts with earnings of $218,627.
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