LNJ Foxwoods’ United and jockey Flavien Prat return to the winner’s circle following victory in the Grade 2 Eddie Read Stakes on July 26, 2020
With little early speed in the seven-horse field, jockey Flavien Prat put LNJ Foxwoods’ United in front at the start and the 5-year-old Giant’s Causeway gelding was never seriously challenged en route to an easy victory as the 3-5 favorite in Saturday’s Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif.
Irish-bred Originaire finished second, followed by Another Mystery in third, French-bred Proud Pedro fourth and Irish-bred Oscar Dominguez fifth in the field of seven older horses. Kazan was scratched.
United, produced from the Pulling Punches mare Indy Punch, was bred in Kentucky by Rosemont Farm. He is trained by Hall of Famer Richard Mandella.
United paid $3.40 to win and covered 1 1/4 miles on firm turf in 1:59.17 after setting fractions of :24.57, :49.07, 1:1;3.20 and 1:36.46. The final time was just over one second faster than Mucho Unusual took to win the G1 Rodeo Drive Stakes for fillies and mares going the same distance.
Mandella indicated the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland would be next for United, who has now won seven of 16 starts, with four seconds. One of those runner-up performances came in the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Turf when second, beaten a head by eventual Horse of the Year Bricks and Mortar.
United has won four of five starts in 2020, all of the wins coming in G2 races: the San Marcos in February, Charles Whittingham in May, Eddie Read in July and now the John Henry in September. His only defeat this year came in his most recent outing when second, beaten a head by Red King, in the G2 Del Mar Handicap on Aug. 22.
“The other day I got trapped on the inside with no pace and I couldn’t go anywhere,” said Prat, speaking of the Del Mar Handicap. “Today, I decided if he broke well, I would put him in the race. On paper it seemed like there was no speed, so I thought maybe I could try to take the lead. He was traveling well. I loved the way he was galloping and he made a good move as always down the lane.
“Ever since he ran in the Breeders’ Cup, where he was a longshot (51-1), he just keeps moving up. It seems like he’s improving a lot and I’m really enjoying what he’s doing.”
“He just continues to show what a professional he is now,” said Mandella. “He can adapt to certain situations. He is a big lumbering stride horse and if you get him tied up too much it’s hard to get him going, so it’s better to keep him in the clear. Flavien did a fabulous job.
“We’re gonna blow (Keenland’s) tires off,” he added.
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