19 Mar 2012
A notable statistic in the illustrious racetrack career of Cambridge Stud’s brand new shuttler, Cape Blanco, is the fact that he was unbeaten on American racetracks.
What’s more, those three outings were all at Grade One level and all on turf.
Cape Blanco’s winning American treble was recorded during a 4 month period from July to October in 2011.
In July he took out the US$600,000 Man o’War Stakes-Gr.1 (11f) on the inner turf course at Belmont Park. Cape Blanco chased the leader, challenged at the home turn and went on to win by two-and-a-quarter lengths in a time of 2.14.06 (track good).
Cape Blanco ran for US$1m next up, contesting the 29th running of the Arlington Million-Gr.1 (10f) on turf. Jamie Spencer had Cape Blanco in fourth position before challenging with 400 metres to run. He went away for an easy two-and-a-half lengths victory in a time of 2.05.39 (track yielding).
The treble of American Grade One victories for Cape Blanco came up in the US$490,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (12f) at Belmont at the start of October. On this occasion Cape Blanco was in front at the top of the straight and held on tenaciously to win by a nose from Dean’s Kitten.