Too Friendly Upsets Snap Decision in Colonial Cup

Bruton Street-US' millionaire Snap Decision entered the $150,000 Colonial Cup Stakes (NSA-G1) at Camden with a chance to solidify his claim to the Eclipse Award for Champion Steeplechase Horse. Instead, it was Irvin Naylor's Too Friendly (GB) who pulled off the upset. Angling to the outside for the 12th and final jump, jockey Jamie Bargay got a powerful surge out of his 6-year-old Camelot (GB) gelding to pass Snap Decision before holding off Noah And The Ark (IRE)'s late bid by about a half-length. Snap Decision was third. Too Friendly completed the 2 5/8-mile hurdle in 5:09 2/5. The win in the Colonial Cup was a second for Naylor, who had previously won in 2011 with Tax Ruling. It was a first victory for trainer Leslie Young and Bargary. A seven-time winner in Europe, the 37th start in Too Friendly's career was only his fourth in the United States and first victory. He previously finished sixth in the Aug. 14 Jonathan Sheppard Handicap (NSA-G1) at Saratoga Race Course, fifth in the Oct. 19 John Forbes Memorial Stakes at Far Hills and third in the Oct. 27 William H. Allison Sport of Kings Hurdle Stakes (NSA-G1) at Great Meadow.