BY BROCK SHERIDAN
A winner of three straight before finishing a troubled second last out in the James W. Murphy at Pimilco, Crystal Quest looks to resume his winning ways Sunday in the $100,000 Tale of the Cat at Monmouth Park. The Florida-bred colt will face eight other 3-year-olds going a mile-and-a-sixteenth on the turf and is 4-1 on the morning line.
Crystal Quest began his win streak on Jan. 28 at Gulfstream Park by taking a $50,000 maiden optional claiming by a length going a mile on the grass. Trainer Michael Trombetta then tried the bay colt at a mile-and-70-yards on the Gulfstream all-weather course and he responded with a neck victory in a first level, $50,000 optional claiming against Florida-breds.
Crystal Quest then earned his first black-type credentials with a three-quarters of a length victory in the $100,000 Equistaff Sophomore Turf against Florida-breds going a mile-and-a-sixteenth on the Tampa Bay Downs grass course on March 24.
Crystal Quest was racing mid-pack early in the James W. Murphy then tried to make a ground-saving run on the rail in the far turn. However, he was shut off and bumped several times. Jockey Javier Castellano was able to guide Crystal Quest through traffic at the top of the stretch and find a clear path for a resolute run down the stretch but could not catch winner Fulmineo and finished second.
A Live Oak Plantation homebred, Crystal Quest is by Uncle Mo out of Giant Crystal, by Giant’s Causeway. He has won three of five career starts with one second while earning $142,830.
Samy Camacho will ride Crystal Quest for the first time and they have post eight.
The 3-1 morning line favorite is Carson’s Run, trained by Christophe Clement for West Point Thoroughbreds and Steven Bouchey.
In one start this year on April 27, Carson’s Run finished fourth but was disqualified and placed fifth in the $125,000 Woodhaven won by Good Lord Lorrie going a mile on the inner turf at Aqueduct. A winner of the Grade 1 Summer going a mile on the turf at Woodbine in September, Carson’s Run concluded his juvenile campaign finishing ninth in the Grade 1 Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf won by Unquestionable (Ire) on Nov. 3 at Santa Anita.
Carson’s Run was purchased by West Point Thoroughbreds for $170,000 at last year’s Ocala Breeders’ Sales Spring Sale where he was consigned by Randy Miles.
Carson’s Run has won two of five career races with a second while banking $329,529.
Vincent Cheminaud has accepted the mount on Carson’s Run and they will break from post six.
Also coming out of the James W. Murphy is Abrumar, who finished third.
Abrumar is trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. and this year won the $200,000 Colonel Liam going a mile on the turf at Gulfstream on March 2. In one race between the Colonel Liam and James W. Murphy, the son of Divisidero was 10th in the Grade 2 American Turf won by Trikari over a mile-and-a-sixteenth at Churchill Downs on May 4.
Abrumar has won half of his six lifetime starts with two thirds with earnings of $219,298.
Owned by Kenneth Ramsey, Abrumar is 7-2 in the program and will break from post seven with Paco Lopez in the saddle.
Rounding out the field are Izzy d’Oro with jockey Jorge Ruiz, Noted will be ridden by Fernando Jara, Isaac Castillo takes the call on Rose Collector, Mission Ready will have Nik Juarez aboard, Feltrinelli and jockey Joe Bravo and Jairo Rendon rides Full Nelson.
Return to the June 22 issue of Wire to Wire