Trainer Louie Roussel III ended a 21-month stakes drought when Intern scored an upset in the $121,300 Sea O’Erin Breeders’ Cup Mile Handicap on Monday at Arlington Park.
However, it was the 55-year-old trainer’s other uncoupled entrant, Kris’s Sleigh, that held most of his attention while setting crisp fractions–half-mile in :46.37, seven furlongs in 1:22.36–on the firm turf.
“I had no idea where Intern was. I was pulling for Kris’s Sleigh the whole way,” said Roussel of his pacesetter, who finished seventh. “But you couldn’t deny Intern today. He came from way back, I would say 5-6 wide turning for home. It was a huge effort for him.”
The win was extra profitable for Roussel, who bought the winner in a private February sale. Intern earned $72,780 in his first stakes start, which raised his career earnings to $240,276. The 5-year-old son of Dynaformer is 4-for-4 for Roussel and has won half of his 14 career starts. He paid $13.20 to win.
Intern beat Illinois-bred long shot Minor Wisdom by a neck. Langston finished third.
–Dave Surico
– John Velazquez set a single-day Saratoga record by riding six winners Monday, including Starine, who scored by 51/4 lengths in the $500,000 Diana Handicap for fillies and mares.
– Ausual Suspect overcame a sluggish start and beat stablemate Tres Seis by a neck to win the $2 million All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs, N.M., the world’s richest quarter horse race.
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– Gary Stevens rode favorite Macho Uno to a 1 1/2-length victory over Unbridled Elaine in the $500,000 Pennsylvania Derby at Philadelphia Park.