Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider's Sprawl earned his first stakes victory in the $200,000 Grade 3 West Virginia Governor's Stakes, which preceded the Grade 3 West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort in New Cumberland, W.Va.
The Kentucky homebred 4-year-old colt by City Zip grabbed the early lead from the inside post position under Joe Talamo in the 1 1/16-mile event, briefly lost the lead to Mighty Heart on the far turn, and fought back to pull away to win by 1 ¾ lengths.
Mighty Heart was second and Bourbon Calling third. Sprawl covered the distance in 1:44.95 and paid $5.20 to win as the favorite.
Claiborne and Dilschneider owned 2013 West Virginia Derby winner Departing, who returned three years later and finished second in the Governor's Stakes after having a two-length lead in the stretch.
“I thought he was done (heading into the stretch) but he switched leads and found another gear,” trainer Tom Drury said. “The inside is not so good on this track, but Joe did a great job riding him. This is my first graded stakes win for Claiborne, and after Departing finished second in the Governor's Cup, I guess they owed us one. I am so proud of this horse.”
Sprawl now has four wins in 16 starts and earnings of $401,653.
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