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Pure as Gold shocker in Bing Crosby La Canada Stable's PURE AS GOLD (Stolen Gold) survived an objection and walked away as the surprise winner in this year's edition of the $300,000 Bing Crosby H. (G1) at Del Mar on Sunday. Jockey Jon Court aboard the winner appeared to have inadvertently hit second-place finisher Bordonaro (Memo [Chi]), the 4-5 favorite, in the face with his whip in midstretch. Bordonaro's rider Alex Solis claimed foul, but the stewards disallowed the objection. The 23-1 longshot was declared the official winner, returning healthy payouts of $48.20, $9.60 and $3.80. Premium Saltine (Salt Lake) grabbed the early advantage with Pure as Gold stalking on the rail, a head in front of Bordonaro, who was trailing close behind in third on the outside, as the leader clocked two furlongs in :21 3/5. Pure as Gold obtained the slight advantage leaving the turn, going a half-mile in :44. Premium Saltine began to back up, leaving Pure as Gold and Bordonaro on the front end in a skirmish for the victory, while Battle Won (Honour and Glory) closed resolutely into third. Pure as Gold persevered on the inside under Court to hold on by a half-length over Bordonaro, completing the six-furlong affair in 1:08 3/5 on the fast track. "I'm not sure, even now," said Court about the incident. "I got a call. I think it was the right call, but I can't be sure. Tell you the truth, if Alex Solis says I hit his horse, I don't doubt he believes it. And I might have. I never felt my whip hit him, but I'm still not sure." Pure as Gold led $1 exotics of $75 (exacta) and $239.10 (1-5-4 trifecta). Bordonaro gave back $3 and $2.40 for the place while Battle Won finished just a head back to his outside to return $2.60 at 7-2. Trickey Trevor (Demaloot Demashoot), Carthage (Smoke Glacken) and Premium Saltine rounded out the order of finish. Bred in Washington by Mr. and Mrs. Al Kirkwood, Pure as Gold is out of the multiple stakes-winning mare Pure Wool (Relaunch) and counts himself as a half-sibling to multiple stakes-placed Pure American (Quiet American) as well as a yearling filly named Pure Refinement (In Excess [Ire]) and a 2006 colt by Storm Creek. The four-year-old chestnut gelding captured the San Simeon H. (G3) at Santa Anita earlier this year and now shows a record of 17-7-2-1 with $401,444 in earnings. This was trainer Jack Carava's first Grade 1 victory and the first stakes win of the meet for Court.
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