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Sharp Humor has the last laugh in Swale
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Sharp Humor made his graded debut a successful one
(Eleanor Gustafson/Horsephotos.com) |
Purdedel Stable's SHARP HUMOR (Distorted Humor) broke on top in Saturday's
$150,000 Swale S. (G2) before being headed for the first two splits by Praying
for Cash (Songandaprayer). Displaying his dominance over his 10 rivals, the Dale
Romans charge regained the advantage before going on to hold off a challenge
from Noonmark (Unbridled's Song) to record his first graded victory.Praying for Cash had a head in front through fractions of :22 and :44 2/5,
but could not hold off Sharp Humor, who moved around his rival on the outside coming
out of the turn, getting his own head in front of Noonmark through three-quarters
in 1:09 1/5. From there it was a battle to the wire, with Sharp Humor digging
down for the neck score in a final time of 1:22 over Gulfstream Park's fast main
track.
Unfortunately, the race was marred when Catcominatcha (Tale of the Cat) broke
down on the backstretch and was vanned off. According to track veterinarian Dr.
Mary Scollay, the three-year-old chestnut suffered a catastrophic right front cannon
bone fracture and was humanely euthanized.
Sent off the 13-1 eighth choice under Mark Guidry, Sharp Humor returned nice
payouts of $29.60, $10.80 and $6.80 while starting the $58.10 exacta ($1).
Noonmark, the 7-5 choice, was worth $3.60 and $2.80 for his 2 1/2-length
advantage over Court Folly (Royal Academy), who paid $4.60 at 10-1 and ended the
$485.20 trifecta ($1). In Summation (Put It Back) was another 2 1/4 lengths back
in fourth to finish out the 11-2-7-12 superfecta ($1) that gave back $3,055.90.
Beacon Shine (Montbrook), Praying for Cash, Electrify (Delaware Township), Bear
Character (Dixie Union), Yes He's the Man (Yes It's True) and City Attraction
(Vicar) rounded out the order under the wire after Showing Up (Strategic Mission)
was withdrawn.
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Sharp Humor broke his maiden at first asking in early July last year before
running fourth and third, respectively, in a Saratoga allowance and the New York
Breeders' Futurity at Finger Lakes. He rounded out his juvenile campaign with
victories in the Bertram F. Bongard S. and Sleepy Hollow S. at Belmont Park. With
Saturday's first graded win, the Dale Romans charge now owns a 6-4-0-1 mark with
$266,410 in earnings.
"He's got a real high cruising speed," Romans said. "I don't think we'll be
headed back to New York just yet. We're going to look at some bigger races down
the road, and see if this horse can go around two turns.
"There's already been one Distorted (Humor) New York-bred to win the (Kentucky) Derby
(G1) (Funny Cide). Let's see if we can get there."
Bred in New York by Patricia S. Purdy, Sharp Humor is the fourth registered
foal out of the unraced Bellona (Hansel) and his dam's most successful offspring
to date. He has an unraced juvenile half-brother named Swell Being (Pure Prize)
and a 2006 unnamed half-sister by Montbrook.
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