Champion steeplechaser HIRAPOUR (Ire) (Kahyasi) earned a second straight win
in the Royal Chase for the Sport of Kings (NSA-G1) at Keeneland on Friday when holding off
Sur la Tete (Sky Classic) and archrival McDynamo (Dynaformer) at the wire of the
2 1/2-mile test. With Matthew McCarron in the saddle, the nine-year-old gelding
jumped 13 National Fences but bobbled when landing over the final
fence. The bay quickly recovered and had enough left to be 1 1/4 lengths clear
at the wire of the $159,250 feature while stopping the clock in 4:42 on the firm
turf.
“The penultimate fence came up a little long for him but he gave me every
ounce of courage to beat one of the most stellar fields of horses I have ever
seen,” McCarron said. “This horse has sheer determination and a heart as big as
the state of Kentucky.”
Sent off the near 5-2 second choice, Hirapour, who tracked in fifth during
the early stages before rallying to the lead leaving the final turn, was worth $6.80, $3.40 and
$2.40 while keying the $25.40 exacta, $64.20 trifecta and $412.40 superfecta
(3-5-6-4). Sur la Tete rallied in the stretch to take second by 3 1/2 lengths
and return $4.40 and $2.80 at 4-1. McDynamo, who captured the Royal Chase in
2003 en route to being named that year’s champion steeplechaser, came in fourth
to pay $2.60 as the 3-2 favorite. It was another 15 lengths back to Mulahen (GB)
(Robellino), who was followed by Tres Touche (Poles Apart) and Il Capitano (GB)
(Be My Chief). Cherokeeinthehills (Cherokee Colony) was pulled up entering the
stretch while Airolo (Fr) (Exit to Nowhere) was pulled up leaving the
backstretch.
After being unsaddled, Cherokeeinthehills collapsed, but he was revived and vanned off.
The Paul Fout-trained Hirapour adds another win to his mark, which now reads
26-9-5-1, $417,281. He already owns scores in two other Grade 1 steeplechases
and finished second in the last season’s Breeders’ Cup Steeplechase (NSA-G1) as
well as the Colonial Cup (NSA-G1) for the past two years.