All eyes and many dollars were on Essex H. (G3) hero Rockport Harbor (Unbridled’s
Song), but it was E.J. Sukley’s homebred PURIM (Dynaformer) who ended up
stealing the show in Sunday’s $150,000
Razorback Breeders’ Cup H. (G3) at Oaklawn Park. The Thomas Proctor trainee traveled between rivals through the
early going, allowing 2-5 favorite Rockport Harbor to carve fractions of :23
2/5, :46 4/5 and 1:10 4/5 before making his move on the second turn.
The dark bay four-year-old moved three wide on the turn for home
beneath jockey Robby Albarado and gained the advantage in early stretch, leading
by 3 1/2 lengths at a mile in 1:37. Arch Hall (Archers Bay) took over the
second-place spot, but was not able to catch the leading Purim, who won by two lengths,
completing the 1 1/16-mile affair in 1:43 3/5 over a fast track.
The winning colt returned $10.40, $6.40 and $8.40 as the 4-1 second choice,
leading exotics of $84.60 (exacta) and a $1 trifecta that gave back $294.90
(4-2-5). The 12-1 Arch Hall paid $7.40 and $9.80 for second while Thunder Mission
(Pulpit) staged a mild rally after a slow break to come home third another 2 1/2
lengths back, returning $9.20 at 15-1. Greater Good (Intidab) missed the board by 4 1/4 lengths,
but finished a neck better than Rockport Harbor in fifth. Real Dandy (Yankee
Victor), Chippewa Trail (General Royal) and Prince T. (Royal Anthem) completed
the order of finish.
Bred in Kentucky, Purim is the first registered foal out of the stakes-placed Kirsteena (Lord at War [Arg]), whose latest foal is a yearling colt named Gihon (Tiznow).
Purim hails from the family of Grade 2-winning sire Judge T C, and his female
line traces to Aspidistra (Better Self), dam of the immortal Dr. Fager.
Purim exits a second in the Super S. to Sir Shackleton (Miswaki)
and has compiled a record of 10-5-2-0 with $349,543 in earnings, including a
score in the Arlington Classic S. (G3) at Arlington Park last July.