El Caballo Takes Featured Conserve Purse on Sunday

Jun 07, 2009 Gary Yunt

James Spence’s El Caballo re-rallied in deep stretch to narrowly defeat Wise River by a nose in Sunday’s featured $59,040 Conserve Purse at Churchill Downs.

            El Caballo, a 5-year-old Kentucky-bred son of El Corredor, covered the mile on a firm Matt Winn Turf Course in 1:35.55 under jockey Robby Albarado.

            Longshot Starspangled Gator led the field the first time past the wire with El Caballo and Inca King in closest pursuit. El Caballo and Inca King disposed of the early leader turning for home, but were soon joined by Wise River, ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr. Wise River grabbed a brief advantage only to have El Caballo battle back to secure the victory.

Trained by Ralph Nicks, El Caballo won for the fifth time in 13 starts and increased his bankroll to $297,075 with the $35,820 winner’s check.

El Caballo, the third choice in the field of 10, returned $9.20, $4.60 and $3.60. Wise River returned $5 and $3.40 with Demarcation rallying for third, another 3 ¼ lengths back, paying $4.80 to show under Jon Court.  

          Racing at Churchill Downs resumes Thursday with a nine-race card that begins with a 12:45 p.m. EDT post time.

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