At 0 for 17, Tom Bush entered Sunday West Point Handicap having the shady distinction of presence. The instructor with the most at this year’s Saratoga meet without a win.

He no holds that designation.

Banrock continuous his ascension up the New York-bred male turf ranks with an extraordinary-looking two-piece win in the $111,000 West Point, his third win from four this year. Classic Pack, who won this race last year, rallied from last to get up for additional by a nose over My Man Lars.

Under Kent Desormeaux, Banrock raced a close-up although four wide while Mission Approved set the pace, constrained by Extra Zip. Banrock launched his move around the far turn, took command in upper stretch and came home strongly with only mild encouragement from Desormeaux. Barnock, a 5-year-old gelded son of Go for Gin, covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:51.41 over soft outer turf and returned $7.80 as the subsequent choice.

Earlier on the card, in the $107,500 Yaddo Handicap for New York-bred and mares, Latitude Forty ran past pacesetting Factual Contender in upper stretch and then held off a late bid from You Go West Girl to win the Yaddo by a neck. Last year, Latitude Forty caught Factual Contender in the conclusive to win the Yaddo by a nose.

You Go West Girl professional 2 1/4 ahead of Rewrite, the 3-2 pet who Factual Contender by a head for third.

Latitude Forty, a 5-year-old daughter of Chester House, had not won in five starts since her 2007 Yaddo win which came at odds of 23-1 in a 10-mount pasture. Sunday, she defeated four rivals at 4-1 and $10 after casing 1 1/8 miles in 1:55.16 over springy turf.

Latitude Forty is by Dee Zee Stable and expert by John Hertler.

Posted on August 11th, 2008 by admin
Filed under: Horse Racing news