From 2016 to 2018 the GI Jaipur S. was won by a gray Patricia Generazio homebred from the Christophe Clement barn, starting with Pure Sensation (Zensational) in 2016 when the race was a Grade III. The following year, Pure Sensation was fourth to his stablemate Disco Partner (Disco Rico), who set a new world record en route to a one-length score. The Jaipur was upgraded to a Grade II in 2018 and Disco Partner successfully defended his title with Pure Sensation finishing third. In 2019, Pure Sensation skipped the Jaipur, which was boosted to a Grade I, and Disco Partner completed the trifecta behind World of Trouble (Kantharos). With both of those speedsters retired to stud, Pure Sensation stands out as the one to beat in Saturday's renewal–a “Win and You're In” qualifier for the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. Clement also saddles White Flag (War Front), last seen finishing eighth in the GIII Runhappy Turf Sprint S.
“He's an older horse and this is his first race back but he's been working very well over the turf,” Clement told the NYRA notes team. “We know he's a fast horse and we're excited to see how he runs. We know he loves Parx but they're not racing yet, so there's really no choice as to where to bring him back. We're based in New York, we train in New York, so we'll run in New York.”
Capturing the Pennsylvania Governor's Cup just a week before last term's Jaipur, Pure Sensation followed suit with a win in the GIII Parx Dash S. July 6 and was third next out in Saratoga's GIII Troy S. Aug. 3, where Disco Partner finished second. Returning to winning ways in the GIII Turf Monster S. at Parx Sept. 2, the native New Yorker was fifth when last seen in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita Nov. 2.
Should Pure Sensation burn himself out early, Oleksandra (Aus) (Animal Kingdom)–the lone female in the field–could be the one who picks up the pieces. Rallying from well back to take Saratoga's Smart N Fancy S. Aug. 17, she was third next out in the GIII Kentucky Downs Ladies Sprint S. Sept. 7. Back in the winner's circle at Keeneland in the GIII Buffalo Trace Franklin County S. Oct. 11, the dark bay was second to the speedy Jolie Olimpica (Brz) (Drosselmeyer) last time in the GII Monrovia S. at Santa Anita May 25.
Stubbins (Morning Line) seeks his second graded stakes score in this event. Winner of Keeneland's GII Woodford S. Oct. 5, he was fourth in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint and kicked off this term with a third in the GIII Daytona S. May 23.
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