Gandolph Finch Takes the Morluc Purse

Jun 15, 2009 Gary Yunt

Team Kentucky’s Gandolph Finch, ridden by Leandro Goncalves, took the lead leaving the backstretch and cruised to a 1 ¾-length victory in Sunday’s featured $49,280 Morluc Purse at Churchill Downs.

            Trained by Garry Simms, Gandolph Finch covered the five furlongs on a firm Matt Winn Turf Course in :57.74 to record his fourth victory in 19 starts.

            A 4-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Sunday Break, Gandolph Finch rewarded his backers with mutuels of $18.60, $8 and $4.20. Echo in Eternity rallied for second under Shaun Bridgmohan to return $5.20 and $3.80 with Western Prospector finishing third in the field of nine under Calvin Borel and paying $3.20 to show.

            The victory was worth $30,580 and increased Gandolph Finch’s earnings to $68,881.

            Racing at Churchill Downs resumes Thursday with a nine-race card beginning at 12:45 p.m. EDT.

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