Making his graded stakes debut on the Kentucky Derby (G1) undercard, Trikari gave his connections, backers, and the gathered mass of humanity something to remember with a 47-1 upset win in the $596,560 American Turf Stakes (G2T) May 4 at Churchill Downs.
While Amerman Racing's Trikari entered off two victories and a close second in his past three starts—including a score in his stakes debut March 23 in the Rushaway Stakes at Turfway Park—bettors looked elsewhere in the talented field of 14 3-year-olds trying 1 1/16 miles on the turf.
But Trikari, the longest shot in the field, would prove up to the challenge, rallying three wide past fading favorite Legend of Time in the stretch and then surging past determined front-runner Formidable Man to win his graded stakes debut by 1 1/2 lengths.
"It was really special performance from a very nice and improving colt," said winning trainer Graham Motion. "He ran a great race."
Trikari and jockey Umberto Rispoli saved ground early but stayed close in fourth or fifth as Formidable Man raced through a half-mile in :48.15 and six furlongs in 1:12.96. Formidable Man, campaigned by William and Suzanne Warren, would repel a challenge from 7-5 favorite Legend of Time to open a clear advantage in the stretch before Trikari's winning move.
"This horse is a very special horse to my career," Rispoli said. "I won my 2,000th race (the Rushaway) aboard him and I can't thank his connections enough for keeping me aboard."
Trikari returned $96.34 to win, $40.20 to place, and $22.98 to show. Formidable Man held second and Lagynos rallied from eighth early to pick up third. Cugino edged favorite Legend of Time for fourth. Formidable Man, a son of City of Light and trained by Michael McCarthy, landed his first graded stakes placing.
"He ran very well, I'm very proud of him," McCarthy said "First time traveling, big crowd like this, the horse ran well and was a game second."
Lagynos seems to have found a comfort level on the turf as the son of Kantharos has placed in back-to-back graded stakes on the grass.
Trikari is a son of Oscar Performance , a grade 1 winner at 2, 3, and 4 campaigned by the Amermans, who went to $27,500 to purchase Trikari at the 2022 Ocala Breeders' October Yearling Sale, where he was consigned by Ordonez Thoroughbreds, agent.
Bred in Kentucky by Michael Slezak and Amy Boll, Trikari is the first winner out of the grade 3-winning Harlan's Holiday mare Dynamic Holiday, who is a full sister to stakes winner Cat's Holiday and half sister to grade 2 winner Varenka, grade 3 winner Lift Up, and stakes winner Appealing Cat.
Trikari is the fourth graded stakes winner this season for Oscar Performance, who stands for $25,000 at Mill Ridge Farm near Lexington. Other graded stakes winners this season for the sire include Endlessly, who also is campaigned by the Amermans and is entered in the Kentucky Derby (G1) on Saturday's card; Red Carpet Ready; and Tumbarumba.
#2 Trikari pulls off the huge upset in the American Turf Stakes @ChurchillDowns at odds of 47/1!
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) May 4, 2024
Jockey: @umbyrispoli
Trainer: @GrahamMotion
Owner: Amerman Racing Stables LLC
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/3kw3sIDGiC
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