NYRA/Adam Coglianese
by Sarah Mace
Paul Braverman and Timothy Pinch’s Kharafa (Kitalpha) enjoyed what turned out to be – for him – a dream trip on his way to winning his second $125,000 Ashley T. Cole for New York-breds at 1 1/8 miles over Belmont’s inner turf course on Sunday.
Sometimes rank when on the lead or chasing, the 6-year-old gelding relaxed while covered up in the early stages of the race, then launched an explosive charge in the stretch on his way to a two-length victory.
Off a half-step behind the rest from his outside post of five, Kharafa, second choice at 2-1, tucked in neatly behind Lubash and Iron Power who raced second and third around the clubhouse turn and along the backstretch, while 31-1 longshot More Zen Tea led the field through moderate fractions of 25.62 and 50.88.
Picking up momentum and moving out into the three-path in the far turn, Kharafa then launched his closing bid going widest of all in upper stretch.
Aiming for the lead in tandem with long-time rival and 3-2 favorite Lubash, Kharafa outkicked everyone on his way to a two-length victory. After completing the final furlong in 10.98, his final time was 1:49.13. Runaway Posse closed from last to finish second, while Iron Power, who raced evenly throughout got the show. Lubash and More Zen Tea completed the order of finish. [VIDEO]
Jockey Javier Castellano indicated that increased familiarity with Kharafa over time contributed to the victory. “The one thing about the horse, he needs to relax and stay covered up,” said Castellano. “I think he’s the kind of horse that if you chase horses or go to the lead, he loses power. He’ll lose his kick. He had always dictated the pace but I learned something in April at Keeneland [in an allowance race on the eighteenth]. That day he missed the break and I covered him up and he came from off the pace; he gave me a big kick and finished great. I think that’s the best style for him.”
Castellano said the way the race unfolded was unexpected, however. “Today really surprised me. There wasn’t much speed in the race, and he missed the break, but he was so kind behind the horses. He was laid back, off the bridle, just followed the other horses in a nice, good rhythm. Turning for home, I just asked a little bit, pushed the button, and he just took off. He’s amazing. To ask and see a horse respond like that is an advantage.”
The race dynamics came as a bit of a surprise to trainer Timothy Hills also. “I was surprised the way it came up, said Hills. “I handicapped the race and thought [number one Iron Power] would be in front. I told Javier, ‘Don’t let the one go out and walk the dog and you end up outside fighting him.’ He looked at me funny in the paddock and I thought, ‘OK.’”
Hills continued, “The way it broke, [Kharafa] broke just a step slow and fell in and Javier covered him up. He was so relaxed, which is a problem we’ve had before with him getting rank. [Javier] had him relaxed nicely and he just exploded. I’m not going to give him instructions any more other than ‘Good luck.'”
Kharafa’s second victory in the Ashley T. Cole was his sixth career turf stakes victory overall. With 11 wins, eight second and four thirds, he has earned $835,137 and has won seven of 15 starts over the Belmont sod.
Hills said the gelding may start once or twice more this year before getting the winter off. “You can’t get the urge to push a New York-bred turf horse through the winter. We always put him away for the winter and bring him back. He’ll have a couple more races then he’ll go to the farm and we’ll see you next year.”
Kharafa was bred, and campaigned in the first part of his career, by Lawrence Durocher, Jr. After Durocher passed away in 2013, Kharafa won the Ashley T. Cole for Durocher’s estate and was then was sold by Durocher’s daughter Kate to Braverman, a Boston investment manager.
Foaled at Mill Creek Farm in Stillwater, Kharafa issues from the first North American crop of Kitalpha, a full brother to Kingmambo. Kharafa’s unraced dam Exquisite Cassie (King of Kings [IRE]), who is a half-sister to multiple stakes-winning New York-bred Lovely Amanda ($376,450), has produced one other winner.
Sold to Chadds Ford Stables for $20,000 at the 2013 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic December Mixed sale, Exquisite Cassie currently has a juvenile full sister to Kharafa named Saratoga Sassy who is a registered New York-bred. The mare also has produced a yearling colt by E Dubai, and a weanling colt by Union Rags.
