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Circular Quay bests Grasshopper in New Orleans Michael and Doreen Tabor's homebred CIRCULAR QUAY (Thunder Gulch) swept to the front turning for home and held off a stubborn Grasshopper (Dixie Union) throughout the stretch to capture the $480,000 New Orleans H. (G2) at Fair Grounds on Saturday. Trained by Todd Pletcher, the four-year-old broke well and was into the race much sooner than usual while equipped with blinkers for the initial time, tracking in third early under Garrett Gomez. The eager colt was rated down the backside but could not be restrained much longer as Gomez went three-wide with his mount approaching the final turn. The final time for 1 1/8 miles was 1:49 4/5, and the 6-1 winner paid $15, $5.20 and $3.80. Grasshopper, who led from the start, kicked into gear in the lane and put up a valiant effort, even getting his head in front for a jump or two late, before succumbing by a neck at the wire along the rail. The 4-5 favorite gave back $2.60 and $2.10 while completing the $43.60 exacta. Reporting for Duty (Deputy Commander) had no speed early but put in his customary late charge to earn the show another 4 1/4 lengths back. The nearly 18-1 longshot paid $3 and finished off the $248.60 trifecta. Brass Hat (Prized) was in good position early but had no punch late as the 3-1 second choice, ultimately settling for fourth and capping the $573.80 superfecta (4-3-6-5). Magna Graduate (Honor Grades), who pressed Grasshopper to the top of the lane, faded to fifth. Silver Lord (Unbridled's Song) ducked in and unseated Corey Lanerie soon after the gates opened, while Encaustic (Broad Brush) was withdrawn. Circular Quay, who became the fourth horse to win the Louisiana Derby (G2) and New Orleans in successive years, visited the winner's circle for the first time since his Louisiana Derby score nearly one year ago and improved his lifetime line to 12-5-2-0, $1,480,434. The chestnut four-year-old earned his biggest win to date in the 2006 Hopeful S. (G1) as a juvenile and captured the Bashford Manor S. (G3) that same season. He also recorded runner-up efforts in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) and Breeders' Futurity (G1) in his freshman campaign. Bred in Kentucky, the winner was produced by 1999 Spinaway S. (G1) heroine Circle of Life (Belong to Me). Her female line traces to *Tir an Oir (Tehran), the dam of 1958 Californian S. winner *Seaneen. Other notable descendants of Tir an Oir include 1999 champion juvenile filly Chilukki, 1977 San Juan Capistrano S. (G1) victor Properantes and English Group 2 winner Doulab. The winner counts the multiple Grade 2-placed sophomore colt The Roundhouse (Fusaichi Pegasus) and an unnamed yearling half-sister by Giant Causeway as half-siblings.
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