Mr. Misunderstood Masterful in G3 River City

LOUISVILLE, KY –  Mr. Misunderstood made it look easy in Saturday’s Grade 3, $100,000 River City Handicap at Churchill Downs. The 4-year-old Brad Cox trainee picked up his third win of 2018 and his first stakes win since the G2 Wise Dan in June.

Big Changes was the early leader and faced little pressure on the front as he set slow fractions of :25.88, :52.52, and 1:18.74. Sir Dudley Digges and Mr. Misunderstood sat just over a length off of Big Changes with Team Colors not far behind and Flatlined nowhere to be seen. As Big Changes set his easy pace, nobody seemed concerned with putting pressure on his lead until Mr. Misunderstood made his move around the final turn. Mr. Misunderstood needed little urging from jockey Florent Geroux and quickly responded. Big changes put up a fight but was not match for Mr. Misunderstood. Big Changes finished a comfortable second followed by Team Colors and Sir Dudley Digges

“This horse is really talented,” said jockey Florent Geroux. “He handled everything well on the course. We had a really good position early tracking Julien (on Big Changes) and when I tipped him out to make his run he responded really well.”

When asked about what is next for Mr. Misunderstood, Brad Cox replied, “He will probably get a little bit of a break before we bring him back at Fair Grounds and if he keeps improving we’ll keep the Breeders’ Cup on our target for next year.”

Mr. Misundestood returned $3.40 to win, $2.40 to place, and $2.10 to show. Big Changes brought back $2.80 to place and $2.10 to show, while Team Colors paid $2.40 to show.

Scratched: Master Merion, Postulation, Oscar Nominated