LEXINGTON, KY – Trainer Rusty Arnold’s Leinster and Totally Boss came across the wire heads apart to give the veteran conditioner a photo-finish exacta in Saturday’s $150,000 Shakertown Stakes (G2) at Keeneland.
Leinster broke from gate 13 under Tyler Gaffalione at 10/1 odds and sat a close, four-wide trip within range of early leader Bound for Nowhere, who received pressure from Tiger Blood in the opening fractions.
Tipped out to rally forward in the stretch, Leinster edged past Bound for Nowhere and held sway over his stablemate in the final stages for victory.
His final time of 1:00.86 for the 5 1/2-furlong firm turf sprint was a new track record.
Totally Boss was a neck past Bound for Nowhere, who fought gamely on the rail to save third by a 1/2-length over Fast Boat. A four-horse photo finish for fifth went to Extravagant Kid by a nose over Tell Your Daddy, Corruze, and Tiger Blood.
Just Might, Texas Wedge, Real News, Shared Legacy, and the misfiring 3/1 favorite Wildman Jack completed the order of finish. Nitrous and Smart Remark were scratched.
Leinster’s win was his first since taking the Troy Stakes (G3) at Saratoga last August (also in record-setting time) and improved his overall record to 21-4-6-4. The 5-year-old Majestic Warrior horse increased his earnings to $524,211 for co-owners Amy Dunne, Brenda Miley, Westrock Stables, and Jean Wilkinson.
Leinster returned $22.40 to win, $8.60 to place, and $5.40 to show. Totally Boss brought back $7.40 to place and $5.20 to show, while Bound for Nowhere paid $3.80 to show.
