More Than Looks displayed an impressive closing kick to rally from the back and easily win Saturday's 43rd running of the $200,000 Jefferson Cup for 3-year-olds at Churchill Downs by 2¾ lengths over Smokey Mandate.
Ridden by Cristian Torres and trained by Cherie DeVaux, More Than Looks had one horse beat in the early stages of the two-turn turf race as Gaslight Dancer dictated the pace and led the field of nine through early fractions of :23.77, :47.73, and 1:12.08. As the field left the final turn, More Than Looks still had one horse beat when he was asked for his best run and responded willingly with an impressive run down the center of the stretch to collar Smokey Mandate inside the final sixteenth of a mile.
“He settled well from just off the pace and closed strongly down the lane,” Torres said. “The pace wasn't too fast but he handled it well, and I'm proud of how he ran today.”
More Than Looks clocked one mile on the firm Matt Winn Turf Course in 1:36.55 and won for the fourth time in seven career starts for owner Anthony Bartolo's Victory Racing Partners.
The $119,280 winner's share boosted the More Than Ready colt's earnings to $453,215. Previously, More Than Looks finished third in the Hall of Fame (G2) on Aug. 11 at Saratoga after winning the $250,000 Manila (G3) in June at Belmont Park .
“I thought there would be a little more pace in the race when looking at it on paper,” DeVaux said. “The race ended up unfolding OK and he was able to close well. This was one of the first times he really put his head down and ran through the wire. Sometimes he got a little green and would hang a little bit once he got in front. I'm thrilled for all of the partners involved with this horse.”
More Than Looks paid $5.26 as the 8-5 favorite. Smokey Mandate, ridden by James Graham, finished 3 1/2 lengths to the good of third-place finisher Worthington.
Ocean Pointe was fourth and was followed by Noises Off, Ocean Vision (GB), Gaslight Dancer, Tiverton (GB), and Midnight West. Desert Duke and Endpoint were scratched.
Out of the Harlan's Holiday mare Ladies' Privilege, More Than Looks was bred in Kentucky by Hinkle Farms. He was a $130,000 Keeneland September yearling sale purchase from his breeder in 2021.
DeVaux said More Than Looks would likely be aimed at the $300,000 Bryan Station (G3) at Keeneland on Oct. 28 for his next start and a possible follow-up run in the $300,000 Hollywood Derby (G1) at Del Mar on Dec. 2.
The Jefferson Cup, which returned to the stakes schedule following a three-year hiatus, is named in honor of Jefferson County, the most populous county in Kentucky which Churchill Downs resides.
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