Thunder Touch finished first by 1 1/4 lengths under Rafael Bejarano, then withstood a stewards’ inquiry and claim of foul by Javier Castellano, rider of runner-up Papua, to win yesterday’s Grade 3, $100,000 Fall Highweight Handicap.
Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, Thunder Touch, 3-year-old son of Gulch, charged from off pace to run down pace-setting Uncle Cammie in final furlong. Thunder Touch ran six furlongs over a sloppy track in 1:09.4 to pay $15.90.
3RD RACE – Harlington, a $2.8M colt with pedigree was surprisingly high price at 9-2 debuting for Todd Pletcher with Jose Santos up off so-so work tab. He settled in several lengths off pace set by Turn Around Tony, rallied wide around turn, ducked inside final furlong to blow past Royal Sultan nearing wire.
5TH RACE – Maillol, an $875,000 2-year-old from Pletcher barn, broke on top, wanted to go-go-go, but Jose Santos took hold, dueled along rail around turn with three horses lapped to his outside, put them away top of stretch, took lead with furlong to run but offered little resistance when 43-1 Interline blew by down center of track.
PICK SIX
Winning numbers 10-1-5-5-3-12
No winners
7 consolation (5 of 6) winners each receives $2,029
Carryover: $42,623.25