Joseph Sutton’s favorite horse, Comport, captured the stakes race at Ellis Park for 2-year-olds, as first reported by the Paulick Report.
Comport, heavily favored at 1-4 odds, secured a determined victory in the $198,000 Ellis Park Juvenile’s 10th running on Sunday. Trained by Eddie Kenneally and ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, Comport completed the seven-furlong race on a fast track with a time of 1:22.73.
The race began with Spice Runner taking the early lead, closely followed by Papaken along the inner rail. Comport started in second place, keeping pace alongside Spice Runner. As they approached the far turn, Comport caught up, gradually pulling ahead by two lengths after hitting the half-mile mark at 46.01 seconds.
Gaffalione praised Comport’s endurance and responsiveness, saying, "He gave me the feeling he wanted to keep going for a long time. He was very cooperative and got stronger as I asked him to accelerate."
Spice Runner finished second, Papaken was third, Sheikh and Rattle came in fourth, with Long Strider rounding out the field. Comport’s win paid out $2.70.
Owned by Edwin Anthony and bred from the mare Bartlett Narrows, Comport’s victory marked his second win in three starts, raising his earnings to $236,300, including a $122,000 winner’s prize from the $198,000 purse.
Meanwhile, earlier on the same day, Chopsticks, owned by Selective LLC, kept her perfect record intact with a win in the $197,000 Ellis Park Debutante for 2-year-old fillies. Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Florent Geroux, Chopsticks finished seven furlongs in 1:23.68 on a fast track.
The race saw King Solver take the early lead, battling Boom Boom Bell for the front. At the quarter pole, King Solver veered four wide before engaging Chopsticks, who overpowered King Solver in the final sixteenth of a mile to win by a length.
Cox expressed pride in their undefeated streak, saying, "Starting a career 2-for-2 is special. I’m thrilled for the entire team and excited about her future. She has an incredible heart."
Chopsticks’s skill was further highlighted as she earned $121,380 with this victory, increasing her career earnings to $190,680. She returned $3.40 to bettors. This gray filly is a daughter of Essential Quality, out of the mare Miss Southern Miss.
Fan Take: These standout performances by Comport and Chopsticks highlight the arrival of exceptional young talent in horse racing, promising thrilling competition and a bright future for the sport. For fans, these victories not only showcase emerging stars but also reaffirm the excitement and potential that 2-year-old stakes races bring to the racing calendar.
