Suntracer trumps competition in the Illinois Owners Stakes at Arlington Park
Suntracer was practically unstoppable in the Illinois Owners Stakes at Arlington Park on 11th August, 2012, as he bolted through the track and landed a massive victory for his owners, Team Block, over the course of 1 1/16 miles.
With jockey Eduardo Perez on his back, he claimed the victory over, Mr. Mischief, while the third place was landed by Princeville Condo.
The pace of the race was set by Mr. Mischief, who was ridden by E. Baird. Riding in the capable hands of his rider and courtesy of his brisk pace, he completed half-mile in 49.20 seconds.
He led by 3 ½ furlongs in the stretch, but Suntracer rose to the occasion and claimed the race in 1 minute and 44.46 seconds.
Commenting on the winner’s powerful stretch run, the trainer told the press:
“I thought he could get there at the top of the stretch, but three jumps from the wire I thought he was beat.”
The four-year-old recovered from a fourth place finish in the Grade 3 Colonel E. R. Bradley Handicap at Fair Grounds. He was hit in the eye by piece of turf clod and was injured badly.
The injury affected his performance as he ended up tenth in the Grade 2 Mervin H. Muniz Jr. Memorial Handicap at Fair Grounds in April, 2012 and seventh in the Grade 2 Elkhorn Stakes at Keeneland.
When the son of Kitten's Joy, out of mare Taxable Deduction, returned in June, he seemed to be in much better shape. He finished as a runner-up to, Mr. Mischief, in the Black Tie Affair Handicap, and stood third in the Grade 3 Stars and Stripes Stakes
on 14th July, 2012.
Now, it seems like he has fully recovered though it hasn’t been decided where he will run next. The American St. Leger is a possibility but nothing has been confirmed.
With an overall record of 5-4-2 in 19 starts, the runner is determined to add more victories to his record. Currently, he has earnings of $338,898 but that will change if he continues to win.
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