Chelsea Durand Photo

Optimus Prime registers optimal performance to win G1 New York Turf Writers Cup

by Brian Bohl

Rosbrian Farm's Optimus Prime patiently stalked the field through nine hurdles before a strong move in the final, flat portion of the race, overtaking 9-5 favorite Iranistan and New Member from the outside to win the 77th running of the Grade 1, $175,000 New York Turf Writers Cup in the opening race of Thursday's card at Saratoga Race Course.

The final steeplechase stakes of the Saratoga meet saw Optimus Prime successfully make his North American debut after 27 career starts in Europe. The French-bred 6-year-old stayed in the middle of the pack as Iranistan led the eight-horse field through the jumps in the 2 3/8-mile race on the inner turf.

Out of the final turn, jockey Ross Geraghty moved Optimus Prime to the far outside, where he surged past New Member to his immediate inside and Iranistan closer to the rail in the final furlong for a 1 ¼-length win, completing the course in 4:31.83.

"He's a lovely horse. He did his job really well today and the future is bright for him," Geraghty said. "I was traveling so easy the whole way. Down the backside I was traveling very easy; on the bottom turn I was swinging off him. I moved him out wide and just came with a run and he did it easy at the end. He's the real deal, that horse."

The victory marked Geraghty's first-ever New York Turf Writers Cup and his 100th career victory in the United States.

"It feels good. It's very nice. I've ridden a lot of winners in Ireland and stuff like that, but it's a milestone to ride 100 winners here in this country," Geraghty said. "It's a lot smaller industry over here than it is in Ireland and the U.K. It's definitely enjoyable. Another Grade 1, which is even better. It's nice to do it in style."

Off at 7-1, Optimus Prime paid $16.40 on a $2 win wager in his graded stakes debut. He improved his career bankroll to $331,939.

Trainer Richard Hendriks won his second New York Turf Writers Cup and first since Tres Touche in 2004. Hendriks' win was his 11th of the year, tying him with Jonathan Sheppard for the top spot in the National Steeplechase Association standings. He also teamed with Geraghty for a Saratoga win for a second straight day after the duo captured the Michael G. Walsh Novice on Wednesday.

"We bought him sight unseen," Hendriks said of Optimus Prime. "He was recommended to us by the jockey who usually rides him in England, Noel Fehily. We watched the videos. I met with [owner] George [Mahoney]. He said, 'What do you think?' I said, 'We need this horse. He's a good horse.'

"He was turned out for about a month before we got him. This was a race we bought him for, but it was going to be tight to get him here. Our team has a done a great job getting him here. We worked him with our horses at home. His last couple of works were like, 'Oh, my God.' He has demolished all of the horses we have at home."

Hendriks was also making his third trip to the winner's circle overall for the New York Turf Writers Cup, having won as a jockey in 1982 aboard Zaccio before starting his training career.

"I rode in this race when I was a jockey when I was 18 years old, kind of got my career started. For [Hall of Fame trainer W. Burling Cocks] I rode Zaccio. It was a big thrill for me. It's a big thrill to be here again as a trainer."

Optimus Prime will target the Grade 1, $175,000 Lonesome Glory Handicap on September 20 at Belmont Park, Hendriks said.

New Member, who won the Jonathan Kiser Novice on July 25 at the Spa, put in another strong effort on the track for trainer Jack Fisher, finishing 3 ¼ lengths ahead of Iranistan for runner-up status.

Show Court, Overwhelming, All the Way Jose, Clarcam and The Game Changer completed the order of finish. Personal Start was scratched.