6/30/13 - Centralinteligence Wins Triple Bend; Top Three Finishers Related to Seattle Slew

Five-year-old CENTRALINTELIGENCE (Smarty Jones) took the lead in the final furlong and stormed home 3 1/2 lengths in front to win his first stakes in the $250,000 Triple Bend Handicap (G1) at Hollywood Park June 29. The Seattle Slew grandson was followed across the wire by pacesetter Comma to the Top (Bwana Charlie) and Morning Line (Tiznow).

Comma to the Top took the lead shortly after the start, while Centralinteligence, breaking from the near outside, quickly established a good stalking position running three-wide. Comma to the Top set a quick tempo, cruising through opening splits of :22 3/5 and :45. Centralinteligence, meanwhile, continued to race wide down the backstretch. Gearing up, the eventual winner launched his move and came into the stretch three-wide, ready to take on a tiring Comma to the Top, who clocked six furlongs in 1:09. Full of run, Centralinteligence quickly left the pacesetter behind and opened up his lead for the important win. He completed seven furlongs in 1:21 2/5 over the fast all-weather track.

Comma to the Top crossed the finish line 1 1/4 lengths in front of a closing Morning Line, who was making his first start in more than a year.

Centralinteligence ran sixth in the Triple Bend last year, before bone chips were discovered and removed from his right knee. After he recovered from the surgery, the chestnut gelding returned this year to finish second most recently in the Los Angeles Handicap (G3), a race that he ran second in last year as well. He now boasts four wins from 12 starts and has earned nearly $310,000.

The Kentucky-bred winner is out of the unraced Seattle Slew mare Shootforthestars, who produced three other stakes-placed winners before Centralinteligence: Golden Rainbow (Seeking the Gold), General Consensus (Giant's Causeway) and My Elusive Star (Elusive Quality). The broodmare has produced five full siblings to Centralinteligence, including the unraced juvenile filly Sky Wise and an unnamed yearling colt.

Congratulations to Centralinteligence and his connections — owners Amerman Racing Stables, Bongo Racing Stable and Gary Finder et al; breeder Patricia Chapman; trainer Ron Ellis and jockey Victor Espinoza — on the victory. The Slew Crew wishes you continued success.


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