Florentino wires Jefferson Cup

Florentino powered home in the Jefferson Cup (Photos by Jordan Strikler)

A dearth of pace in Saturday's $163,500

Jefferson

Cup (G2) at Churchill Downs benefited Darley Stable's FLORENTINO (Jpn)

(Swept Overboard), who assumed control from the outset and held on through the

lane to capture the nine-furlong turf event for three-year-olds by three parts

of a length under Alan Garcia. The Kiaran McLaughlin trainee set tepid fractions

of :25, :50 1/5, and 1:15 1/5, then finished up in 1:51 2/5 over the good

ground. The 7-2 third choice gave back $9.20, $4.60 and $3.20 while keying

exotics of $27.80 (exacta), $95 (trifecta) and $183.40 (4-5-3-1 superfecta).

Florentino was tracked throughout by 4-1 chance No Inflation (Repriced), who

raced along the hedge, and 9-5 favorite El Crespo (A.P. Indy). Both took runs at

the long-time leader in the stretch, with No Inflation moving off the inside in

attempt to rally between rivals, but both were found lacking in the drive. El

Crespo beat No Inflation for second by a neck, and gave back $3.20 and $2.40. No

Inflation returned $2.80. Advice (Chapel Royal), the 2-1 second choice, was never a threat and

finished 1 3/4 lengths further back in fourth. Jake Wil Gallop (Victory Gallop),

Bruce N Autumn (Lemon Drop Kid) and Har D Boy (Johar) completed the order of

finish.