Todd Pletcher's Up to the Mark wins Old Forester Turf Classic Stakes at Churchill Downs
Up to the Mark crossed the finish line first Saturday in the Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic at Churchill Downs.
The winning horse, with 5-2 odds, crossed the finish line in 1:47:31 in the $1 million Grade 4 stakes race for colts and fillies ages 4 and up and paid $7.26 to win.
Hong Kong Harry (7-2) crossed the finish line second and Spooky Channel (4-1) finished third.
Irad Ortiz Jr., the winning jockey, said Up to the Mark took advantage when a hole opened up in front of him.
"He didn’t do anything wrong today, from the minute we warmed him up," he said. "He’s getting better every race. He can come from off the pace. He’s developing a good style, since he started racing on the grass (in January).”
Winning trainer Todd Pletcher said the race unfolded "beautifully."
"He got a really good trip, was able to save a little ground," Pletcher said. "The horse relaxed nicely and had a good turn of foot when called upon."
The Turf Classic preceded the Kentucky Derby, the main event of Saturday's festivities. That race was won by Mage.
More coverage: Sudden death of two horses at Churchill Downs leaves industry questioning what happened
Reach Lucas Aulbach at laulbach@courier-journal.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky Derby Day: Trainer Todd Pletcher's horse Up to the Mark wins
