NEWS
Grasshopper picks up first win in two years
Posted: Wednesday, February 03, 2010 5:08 PM
by Steve Bailey
W. S. Farish’s, E. J. Hudson Jr.’s, and Inwood Stable’s Grade 3 winner Grasshopper won for the first time in nearly two years as he rallied in the stretch to capture a star-studded one-mile optional claiming race on Wednesday at Gulfstream Park.
The six-year-old Dixie Union horse made his first start for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin after racing his first four seasons for Neil Howard.
Grasshopper, who finished second to Street Sense in the 2007 Travers Stakes (G1), was unplaced in three starts last season and had not reached the winner’s circle since a victory in the Mineshaft Handicap (G3) on February 9, 2008.
The field of seven included five graded stakes winners, including Grade 2 winners Diamond Stripes, Delosvientos, and Arson Squad and Grade 3 winner Buddy’s Humor.
Gentleman James and Delosvientos dueled for the lead through a half-mile while Grasshopper, under jockey Alan Garcia, chased from four wide. Drawing even with Gentleman James in early stretch, Grasshopper dug in and prevailed by a neck, covering the distance in 1:37.35 on a track rated as fast.
"He was impressive,” Garcia said. “I was on the horse the last two times he breezed and he was very honest. Today, he showed just how nice of a horse he is.
“He was in hand all the time. I was galloping along; he was confident. And when I asked him to go, he took off. Then I decided I just wanted to hand-ride him, so I could save something for his next race."
Arson Squad closed willingly to take third, 1 ¼ lengths behind Gentleman James. Diamond Stripes finished fourth and Buddy’s Humor finished in a dead heat for fifth with Colonial Causeway.
Grasshopper won for the fifth time from 18 starts with six runner-up finishes and boosted his earnings to $846,152. He is one of five winners from as many starters out of the unraced Mr. Prospector mare Grass Skirt and is a full brother to Grade 3 winner Turf War and stakes winner Straw Hat.
Steve Bailey is deputy news editor of Thoroughbred Times
