Horse Racing Articles >> Presious Passion does it again in McKnight

Presious Passion does it again in McKnight

ESPN-2008-12-15 - 05/27/2009

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MIAMI -- Presious Passion combined his speed with his affinity for the Calder turf course to successfully defend his title in the $150,000 McKnight Handicap, leading throughout to register a two-length decision over Logic Way in the 1 1/8-mile Grade 2 event.

Presious Passion was 67-1 when he captured the 2007 McKnight. He went postward a more modest 7-1 on Saturday, but even that price seemed generous considering the fact that the 5-year-old son of Royal Anthem was not only the defending champ but the lone member of the field with a Grade 1 win this season. Presious Passion captured Monmouth Park's Grade 1 United Nations in July.

With Elvis Trujillo aboard on Saturday, Presious Passion was able to control a relatively slow pace over a Calder turf course that appeared firm but was listed as "good" by track officials. Presious Passion repulsed a bid from Picou on the final turn, reopened a clear lead, and was not threatened thereafter. Logic Way outfinished Always First by three-quarters of a length for second. Summer Patriot, the 9-5 favorite, had no rally and finished fifth.

Owned by Patricia Generazio, Presious Passion covered the distance in 2:25.64 - 0.49 of a second faster than last year - and paid $17.20.

"His last two races I could attribute to the ground," said trainer Mary Hartmann, referring to two sixth-place finishes over yielding turf. "He is a Florida-bred and could run in the Sunshine Millions."

The Sunshine Millions Turf will be run at Santa Anita on Jan. 24.