Cabo Spirit, out of Schumer BS purchase Fancy Day, made an impressive return to winning way when going gate to wire in the Grade 2 California Crown John Henry Turf Championship at Santa Anita on Saturday.
Previously winner of the Grade 2 Twilight Derby and Grade 3 La Jolla Handicap, Cabo Spirit broke cleanly from the one hole and having assumed an easy lead, had enough in reserve to repel the second There Goes Harvard.
With that win, his fifth in 27 starts, Cabo Spirit became racing’s newest millionaire.
“The goal was to make the lead and if another horse sped ahead, let them go,” jockey Abel Cedillo said. “If not, the plan was always to get to the front and then try to slow down. That=s exactly what we did.”
Added trainer George Papaprodromou: “He ran huge. He went out there and Abel did a great job, put them to sleep kind of and kept him going.”
Fancy Day was purchased by Schumer Bloodstock on behalf of Yancy Williams at the 2021 Keeneland November Sale, since when the daughter of Shamardal has produced the stakes horses Convention and Blame Day in addition to Cabo Spirit.
The relation to champion Tiznow is due to be sold at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale in foal to Cody’s Wish.
