NEWS
Bishop Court Hill makes all the pace to win Carter Handicap
Posted: Saturday, April 08, 2006
The $300,000 Carter Handicap (G1) lost its star attraction when Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) winner Silver Train was scratched, but 8-to-1 outsider Bishop Court Hill put on a scintillating show for more than 6,000 rain-soaked fans at Aqueduct on Saturday as he made all the running and held off Sir Greeley to win by a neck.
With Jose Santos in the leathers, Bishop Court Hill broke sharply and took a comfortable lead off the rail. Sir Greeley, who was outrun early, made a three-wide move into the stretch and rallied late, but could not get to Bishop Court Hill, who finished the seven furlongs in 1:23.27 over a sloppy track. Sir Greeley finished three-quarters of a length in front of third-place finisher Big Apple Daddy. Grade 1 winner Mass Media, the 2.15-to-1 favorite, finished fourth in the six-horse field.
Winless in five starts last year, Bishop Court Hill began this season by earning his first career stakes victory in the Paumonok Handicap on January 28 at Aqueduct. He followed with a runner-up finish in the Toboggan Handicap (G3) on March 11.
After Saturday's race, trainer Todd Pletcher noted the talent of the six-year-old Holy Bull gelding but said his inconsistencies were frustrating.
"He's a horse that has always had a great deal of talent, and it's been a little frustrating from time to time," Pletcher said of Bishop Court Hill, who won four of ten starts as a three-year-old. "It was good to see him dig in gamely today and hold on for the win. We'll keep him sprinting six and seven furlongs."
Bred in Kentucky by Pam DuPont, Bishop Court Hill is out of the Cormorant mare Just Cuz. Owned by Melnyk Racing Stables, his overall record improved to seven wins in 24 career starts. The $180,000 winner's share of the Carter increased his earnings to $470,775.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
