
Parx Horses Defend Home Turf on Labor Day

Sharp Sensation holds off a late surge by Ben’s Cat to win the G3 Turf Monster. ©Nikki Sherman/PTHA
In the $300,000 Turf Monster Handicap, Sharp Sensation rallied from just off the pace and took the lead inside the eighth pole, then gallantly held off the late charge of the incomparable Ben’s Cat to win by a neck. Away in good order under jockey David Moran, Sharp Sensation was fifth in the first of the five furlongs in the Turf Monster, but gained a couple spots as the field moved inside the final three-eighths. Bold Thunder had the lead chased by long shot Berlino Di Tiger moving to the quarter pole, but with a strong, sudden three wide move, Sharp Sensation ran at those two and took the lead turning for home. He carried a clear lead inside the last furlong, a good five lengths in front of Ben’s Cat, who was now hitting his best stride in the middle of the course. There was simply too much ground to make up. Sharp Sensation stayed on well to the finish and got the nod by a solid neck on the wire. Owned by Jim and Susan Hill and trained by Canadian great Reade Baker, Sharp Sensation got overlooked by the betting public, went off at 16-1 and paid $34.80 to win. The final time over a turf course listed as good was 57.39.

Protonico wins the G3 Smarty Jones Stakes. ©Nikki Sherman/PTHA

Classic Giacnroll. ©Nikki Sherman/PTHA

Cary Street Catches Parx-Based Ever Rider in the Greenwood Cup (G3) ©Nikki Sherman/PTHA

Quality Lass. ©Nikki Sherman/PTHA
The $200,000 Turf Amazon Handicap went to West Point Thoroughbreds’ Quality Lass. The 5 year-old daughter of Exclusive Quality outsprinted the other eleven fillies and mares and led the way to the top of the stretch. Two of her main rivals, Spun Cap and Jewel of a Cat were both poised to run by her turning for home, but Quality Lass dug in gamely and turned back both. Inside the final sixteenth, suddenly Joya Real, who had gotten off to a very poor start, was closing fast on the inside, but again, to no avail. The wire came first and the dramatic photo went to Quality Lass. Trained by Guadalupe Preciado and ridden by John Bisono, she went off at 8-1, paid $18.00 to win and covered the five furlongs over the good turf in 57.71. Kate DeMasi, trainer of Joya Real, sportingly gave Preciado a congratulatory handshake after the race, and said that she was looking forward to a rematch.