UNITED NATIONS MIRRORS TURF CUP

Once again Turbo Compressor eludes Air Support
 in Saturday's $500,000 United Nations at Monmouth Park.
(Monmouth Park website)

Three weeks ago after the Colonial Turf Cup, the trainer of Rahystrada, Byron “Scooter” Hughes was pleased with the performance of his interest but suggested that it’s winner Turbo Compressor might have had something left.

The connections of reigning Virginia Derby winner Air Support have witnessed that twice in the last month. 

As he did in the Colonial Turf Cup, Joe Bravo set every quarter and this time stopped the timer in 2:12.88 after a mile and three-eighths to collect his second winner’s share of a $500,000 purse in less than a month.  The top two lines in the race chart are nearly identical with Air Support finishing by two lengths.  Once again, Turbo Compressor was favored.

“He really flew home,” said winning trainer Todd Pletcher on the Monmouth Park website.  “He was able to lay down the fractions and that was just what we were looking for.  He still came home in 22 and change and that’s hard to do at a mile and three eighths.  This horse is versatile; he’s won from one mile to a mile and three eighths, so we have a lot of options for him.”