Unusual Suspect Earns First Grade I In Turf Cup

Ending a losing streak that extended 16 races, Unusual Suspect was the surprise winner of the $250,000 Hollywood Turf Cup Saturday at Hollywood Park.

Dismissed at 10-1 in the field of eight, the 6-year-old Unusual Heat horse out of the Crested Wave mare Penpot collared pacesetter Temple City in the final strides to earn the first Grade I victory of his career.

In joining Prince Spellbound, who won the second division of the Turf Cup in 1982, as the only California bred winners of the race, Unusual Suspect was up to win by a head under jockey Corey Nakatani.

Owned by trainer Barry Abrams, his wife Dyan and brother David, who bred the dark bay, Unusual Suspect has now won nine of 55. The $150,000 payday enabled him to become a millionaire. His bankroll is $1,035,171. Seven of his wins have come over grass.

Completing the 1 ½ miles in 2:25.83, Unusual Suspect paid $22.40, $9.40 and $5. Temple City, who relaxed well under jockey Joe Talamo, paid $6.20 and $4. He finished three-quarters of a length in front of 15-1 outsider Buenos Dias. The show price on Buenos Dias, who trailed for the first eight furlongs, was $7.

"He broke really well and I was in a pretty good position,'' said Nakatani after his third Turf Cup victory, but first since he scored with Lazy Lode in 1998. "They were going slow, so I just let him do his own thing. What more can I say?

"Barry's team put him together and put him in the right spot for me and made me look good. At the very end when I called on him, he kind of gave me that surge that I thought he would and we were able to get there.''

The win was the first for Unusual Suspect since he popped at 24-1 in the Cougar II Handicap over the Polytrack at Del Mar Aug. 5, 2009.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Hollywood Park
• Hollywood Turf Cup (GI)
• Unusual Suspect
• Corey Nakatani
• Barry Abrams

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