Juvenile: Crackup stalks, pounces
November 2, 2002
By Steve Andersen
Daily Racing Form
An inside draw is usually advantageous going two turns, but when Crackup landed post 2 for the $125,000 California Cup Juvenile, trainer Rafael Becerra implored jockey Tyler Baze to get to the outside as quickly as possible.
The 1 1/16-mile race could not have unfolded any better for Crackup. Bold N Broke crossed over from post 7 and cleared Crackup, but no one else went, allowing Baze to get Crackup off the rail midway around the first turn. He sat in a stalking position for much of the race, turned back a bid from favored Excessive Barb on the far turn, and drew away for a two-length victory.
Excessive Barb finished second, three lengths in front of third-place Hair Jordan.
Crackup ($6) covered 1 1/16 miles on the fast main track in 1:43.82 for his second victory in four starts. A 2-year-old Distorted Humor colt, he was a $50,000 auction purchase earlier this year by owner Stan Fulton. The victory added $75,000 to his bankroll.
Crackup stalked Bold N Broke through fractions of 22.86 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 46.52 for a half. Crackup had the lead after six furlongs in 1:11.54, when Excessive Barb loomed ominously on his flank.
The result atoned for a defeat Crackup suffered when he was favored against Excessive Barb in the Cavonnier Stakes four weeks earlier.
Becerra said Crackup had a small quarter crack in his left front hoof that was patched the day before the race by farrier Buzz Fermin.
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