Turco Bravo posts surprise Stymie Stakes victory
Ozone Park, NY (SportsNetwork.com) – Lightly regarded Turco Bravo, ridden by Jose Ortiz, ran down the pacesetter to capture Sunday’s $100,000 Stymie Stakes at Aqueduct.
Trained by Gary Contessa for Winning Move Stable, Turco Bravo was sent off as the 9-1 longshot in the five-horse field for the 1 1/8-mile Stymie. Kelso Handicap winner Vyjack was the 19-10 favorite followed by North Slope at 2-1, Cousin Stephen at 3-1 and Micromanage at 4-1.
Turco Bravo stalked pacesetter Cousin Stephen through most of the race until splitting horses down the stretch. The 6-year-old chestnut gelding, in his fourth race of the year, steadily cut into Cousin Stephen’s lead approaching the wire and was able to register a half-length win over the 4-year-old.
“He broke good. I could’ve gone to the lead but I didn’t want to,” said Ortiz. “I just followed the No. 5 horse (Cousin Stephen) all the way, and I got a little room at the three-sixteenths pole. I decided to go and the horse responded very well.”
North Slope was third followed by Micromanage and Vyjack.
The time for the Stymie was 1:51.80 on a fast track.
Turco Bravo picked up $60,000 for the win to bring his career earnings to $242,318 with 11 wins in 39 starts.
The 6-year-old from Chile was coming off a third in the Evening Attire Stakes four weeks ago behind North Slope at Aqueduct. Turco Bravo began the year with a second at Laurel Park in the Native Dancer Stakes followed by a runner-up finish in the Jazil.
“Today was 1 1/8 miles, and I wouldn’t mind seeing him at 1 1/4 miles, either,” Contessa said. “I liked the way he closed in his first race in this country (at Gulfstream Park West, Oct. 11); the price was right, and we bought him looking ahead to the winter here. We went the whole winter without winning a stake with him, so I’m glad he got the chance to vindicate himself.”
Turco Bravo returned $21.60, $7.50 and $3.00. Cousin Stephen paid $4.60 and $3.30, and North Slope paid $3.20 to show.
Categorized in: Horses