Donegal Racing

Finnegans Wake wakes up in Santa Anita turf feature

June 17, 2016

Article via Horse Racing Nation

Multiple graded stakes winning Finnegans Wake called upon his considerable class as he overcame a slow pace to win Thursday’s $65,000 Santa Anita allowance feature by a half length under Flavien Prat. Conditioned by Peter Miller, the long fused 7-year-old full horse by Powerscourt covered a mile and one eighth on turf in 1:52.18. 

Most recently fifth in the Grade II, 1 ¼ miles turf Charles Whittingham Stakes here on May 29, Finnegans Wake, whose last win came six starts back in the Grade I Turf Classic at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2015, attended the pace while last, about two lengths off pacesetting Little Curlin into the far turn and swung four-wide in a field of five turning for home in a powerful effort.

The narrow 8-5 second choice behind Little Curlin, Finnegans Wake paid $5.40, $4.00 and $2.40.  Owned by Donegal Racing and Rockingham Ranch, he picked up his eighth win from 35 career starts. With the winner’s share of $39,000, he increased his earnings to $1,589,320.

A close third as part of a five-horse scrum around the far turn, Texas Ryano overhauled Little Curlin well inside the sixteenth pole to finish second by a half length.  Ridden by Joe Talamo, Texas Ryano was off at 4-1 and paid $4.60 and $3.00.

Ridden by Drayden Van Dyke and off at 8-5, Little Curlin battled gamely but was third best on the day, finishing another half length in front of Papacoolpapacool.  Little Curlin paid $2.20 to show.

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