Some things get better with age. Virginia-bred Researcher has always been a useful horse and he even worked his way all the way up the Gr. 3 stakes winner.
But, this time the five-year-old Two Smart gelding took another big step up taking down multiple Gr. 1 winner Commentator on his way to winning the $500,000 Charles Town Classic Stakes on Saturday night. The win was worth a whopping $360,000. Researcher set the track record for 1 1/8 miles at Charles Town Races in his previous start on March 28, completing the distance in 1:49.76 in a 22 1/4-length romp. Clearly in good form, his affinity for the six-furlong main track at Charles Town was evident in the inaugural Charles Town Classic, also at 1 1/8 miles.
Researcher stalked 2008 Whitney Handicap (G1) winner Commentator from second as the 3.20-to-1 second wagering choice. He surged past Commentator on the final turn, opened a clear advantage with an explosive turn of foot, and stormed to a 2 1/4-length victory in 1:49.86.
With the $360,000 winner’s share, Researcher more than doubled his career earnings. He has amassed ten wins in 17 career starts and banked $676,809 for Virginia owner Rutledge Farm and trainer Jeff Runco.
Charles Town offered a guaranteed purse of $500,000 for the Classic and tiered incentives for graded stakes winners. Grade 1 winners competed for a guaranteed $1-million purse, and the pot was worth at least $750,000 for Grade 2 winners and $600,000 for Grade 3 winners.
Researcher has won two of three starts this season after closing his 2008 campaign with his first graded stakes win in the Queen’s County Handicap (G3) on December 13 at Aqueduct.
Researcher has won two of three starts this season after closing his 2008 campaign with his first graded stakes win in the Queen’s County Handicap (G3) on December 13 at Aqueduct.
Researcher was bred by the Virginia Tech Foundation’s M.A.R.E. Center in Middleburg.
Commentator, winner of the 2005 and ’08 Whitney Handicaps, faded to finish fourth in his first start in more than 4 1/2 months.
Commentator, winner of the 2005 and ’08 Whitney Handicaps, faded to finish fourth in his first start in more than 4 1/2 months.
Also on the card, Spritely drew off to a 3 1/4-length score in the $250,000 Sugar Maple Stakes, a seven-furlong race for older fillies and mares. Spritely, by Touch Gold, out of Wood Sprite by Woodman was bred in Kentucky and purchased by Virginia owner Edward P. Evans for $480,000 as a yearling at Keeneland.
Spritely, completed the distance in 1:24.44 to win for the fifth time in 11 career starts for trainer Todd Pletcher. Spritely has won $302,278 including the Honey Bee Handicap at The Meadowlands.
In the $100,000 Blue and Gold Stakes, Russell Road (left) prevailed by a neck. Russell Road, by Wheaton, out of Roberta Gump by Verification is a product of the Virginia Thoroughbred Association’s Stallion Season Auction. His breeder, Robert H. Lloyd of Berryville purchased a Wheaton season from the Auction in 2005 and the rest is history. The West Virginia-bred who saw his six-race win streak snapped in the Gotham S. Gr.3 in early March just got up in the final strides over Bunker Hill and Ju Jitsu Jack.
To view a video of the $500,000 Charles Town Classic Stakes, click here.
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