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Centauros Wins the Steward's Cup Steeplechase
Original article written by Amanda Haderthauer posted 10 years 1 week agoWhat is there to say about a race in which the top four finishers each earned a 100 speed figure, except congratulations to Centauros and Anna Benson. A win in the Steward’s Cup Steeplechase was a great way for this six year old horse to end a near perfect season. This was his first attempt at the SC Steeplechase, and he faced some tough horses including last year's winner Wishing on Stars and the great mare Factious.
In the SC Steeplechase Centauros started well, but was beat to the lead by Russian and Stanley. He stayed in behind those two but had taken the lead by the second call. From that point on he never looked back, winning by ½ a length over Researcher, who closed for seventh to finish second and Factious, who closed from eighth to finish third. Russian had the lead at the first call but faded in the stretch, just managing to hang on to fourth place.
Centauros had a banner year this year, winning 5 out of 6 starts. He started the year with a win in the Jump Up Chase (week 1). He followed with that with wins in the grade 3 Mother of All Chases Cup (week 3) and the Platinum Only Chase (week 7). He ended the year with back to back grade 1 victories in the grade 1 La Revoluntione Cup and the grade 1 Steward's Cup Steeplechase. The only blight on his Year 35 record is a fourth place finish in the grade 2 Tough Guy Event. In his defense it was the farthest he had ever run and he still managed to earn a 100 speed figure. In fact he earned a 100 speed figure in each and every one of his races this year.
Centauros is bred and owned by Anna Benson. He is sired by Leap of Faith out of the Destiny mare Sundown Sandstorm. Sundown Sandstorm also produced multiple grade 2 stakes winner Inventori (by Hedge), who is another homebred for Anna Benson. Leap of Faith ran in the SC Steeplechase three times, running second twice and winning in his third and final try. Centauros is continuing a tradition, and being that he is only six years old it is possible we will see him back in future additions of this race. He has a record of 20: 13-2-2 and earnings of $682,000, and he will be tough to beat as Steeplechaser of the Year.