CHARLES City — Bruce Lunsford’s Artwork Collector validated his standing as the 1.30-1 most loved by conquering stubborn defending winner in Sleepy Eyes Todd and having down the prime prize in the $800,000 Charles City Classic (G2) Friday evening at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.
Ridden by Luis Saez, the son of Bernardini turned the first most loved to earn the Charles Town Classic since Recreation on Dude in 2013.
Sleepy Eyes Todd,making an attempt to come to be the initial repeat Typical winner considering that Researcher in 2010, was sent to the direct and carved out opening fractions of 23.80 and 47.90 for the first quarter and 50 % mile below rider Ry Eikleberry. Artwork Collector was glued to the direct horse’s flank for a lot of the early jogging.
With Saez and Artwork Collector seizing the lead, they appeared poised to draw off for a convincing earn but have been fought every action of the way by the entire world-touring Sleepy Eyes Todd prior to prevailing by a size and a 50 percent at the wire.
“I assumed I had him (Sleepy Eyes Todd) turning for household,” Saez stated. “He appeared like he was heading really very well, and that’s why I tried to assault pretty early. Artwork Collector gave me that kick. but he was combating in the extend. It was just a good complete.”
In successful the Traditional, Artwork Collector gave his Hall of Fame coach Invoice Mott his initially victory at Charles City.
California shipper Rushie completed 5 1/2 lengths again of Artwork Collector in 3rd. Restrainedvengence rounded out the superfecta.
On the wagering entrance, the $7,179,783 wagered on Friday night’s Charles Town Vintage card recognized a single card manage file for the monitor, shattering the prior mark of $5,720,375 set on the 2019 Basic card.
“We could not be happier with the way the night unfolded, the way our horseplayers and admirers responded and the document cope with that resulted,” Charles Town’s vice president of racing and sporting activities functions Erich Zimny stated. “It’s a testament to the job that our director of racing, Charlie McIntosh, and the racing business office staff did in placing these types of a deep and aggressive card collectively that we can’t wait around to broaden upon in 2022.”
— Personnel reports