Acclamation Claims Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship

by Bodog Racebook | Oct 3 2011

Breeders’ Cup Turf top contender Acclamation showed his stalking ability in his fifth consecutive win of the season in the $150,000 Gr. 2 Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship at Santa Anita Park on Sunday, Oct. 2, a 1 ¼ mile turf race for 3-year-olds and up.

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Ridden for only the second time by Patrick Venezuela, Acclamation was second out of the gate behind Make Music for Me, who was piloted by Jose Valdivia, Jr. Ashtar was third, while the duo of Champ Pegasus and Garrett Gomez followed up in fifth. Make Music for Me continued to lead the way until the start of the stretch, where Acclamation made his move. Coming out of the turn, Acclamation powered his way past the leader – but Champ Pegasus was also making his closing bid, challenging three-wide. Down the stretch, Champ Pegasus fought for the lead but Acclamation would not be overtaken, finally drawing away in deep stretch to win by ¾ length. Acclamation’s winning time over firm turf was 1:59.45.

Following Champ Pegasus to the wire were Imponente Purse, Ashtar, Dynamic Host, Make Music for Me and Buenos Dias; Dreamy Kid was scratched.

The victory marks Acclamation’s fifth in a row. Trained by Donald Warren, Acclamation has also captured the Gr. 1 Pacific Classic Stakes in August (a Win and You’re In event for the Breeders’ Cup Classic), the Gr. 1 Eddie Read Stakes in July and the Gr. 1 Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap in June. His first win of the year was in the Gr. 1 Jim Murray Handicap in May. His career earnings now total $1,628,048 from 28 starts and his record improves to 9-2-6. After a disappointing 2010, hopes are high for this 5-year-old son of Unusual Heat to close out his year with a Breeders’ Cup win.

Also looking sharp in the Clement L. Hirsch was Champ Pegasus, whose impressive stretch duel with Acclamation may be enough for trainer Richard Mandella to consider another shot at Breeders’ Cup glory. Champ Pegasus, a 5-year-old son of Fusaichi Pegasus, has just one win this year – the Gr. 2 San Luis Obispo Stakes – but has earned a career $1,052,520 and is 5-5-1 from 14 starts.

The $3M Gr. 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf will be run at Churchill Downs on Nov. 5. Don’t miss out on any of the horse racing action! Bet on the Breeders’ Cup with the Bodog Racebook!