Shore Runner maintained his unbeaten record on turf this (northern) summer with a trademark finishing burst in the LR Troy Stakes (1100m) at Saratoga on Saturday.
The More Than Ready galloper switched from dirt tracks in June and has reeled off victories in two allowances at Belmont Park and two stakes sprints at Saratoga. He won the LR Lucky Coin Stakes (1100m) when graduating to black-type company on July 27 and showed similar acceleration to win by a half-length on Saturday.
“I had a lot of confidence in the horse,” trainer Joe Sharp said. “He’s one of those horses when they get good, they get confident. He just continues to grow and blossom. I just try not to get in his way.”
Shore Runner (5g More Than Ready – Miss Mary Pat by Service Stripe) has earned $362,340 and will be gunning for big another big pay-day in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (1100m) at Keeneland on October 31.
“We might take him to Kentucky Downs for his next start or, on the other hand, we might just freshen him until the Breeders’ Cup,” Sharp added. “I’m just grateful to have such a nice horse and a good owner like Brad Grady. It’s been a lot of fun.”
Winning jockey Kendrick Carmouche also thanked Sharp and Grady. “I really appreciate everything they’ve been doing for me. You have to be patient with this horse. He comes from behind so you just have to sit there and wait. I just let him do his job. He runs the last quarter-mile faster than anybody.”
More Than Ready has already sired a Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner courtesy of Regally Ready in 2011. The Vinery Champion stands for a $66,000 (inc GST) service fee this year.
