Parx Racing: Stormofthecentury pulls 28-1 upset in Turf Monster

Stormofthecentury pulled a 28-1 upset Monday, driving to victory in the Grade 3, $350,000 Turf Monster at Parx Racing in suburban Philadelphia.

Ridden by Stewart Elliott of Smarty Jones fame, Stormofthecentury returned $59.40 in defeating some of the top turf sprinters on the East Coast. Owned by Beechwood Racing Stable and trained by Lou Roberto Jr., the 5-year-old Florida-bred gelding was making just his third start on turf. He finished the five-furlong distance in 57.44 seconds over a course left yielding after heavy rains earlier in the day.

Tightend Touchdown, the 3-1 second choice, held a clear lead past the furlong pole before being overtaken by Stormofthecentury. He barely held second over Ben’s Cat, the two-time defending champion and 2-1 favorite. A P Elvis finished fourth at 52-1 in the field of 11 older horses.

Stormofthecentury, forwardly placed throughout, enjoyed a clean trip before angling off the rail and wearing down Tightend Touchdown. Although he had been risked for claiming tags as recently as June 2012, Stormofthecentury had been in good form in three starts this year, winning twice with one runner-up finish, all in allowance company.

Ben’s Cat, now 22 for 34 lifetime, had no excuse. He broke cleanly and raced in mid-pack before launching a belated run.

Greenwood Cup: Eldaafer by a nose

Eldaafer outfought Indian Jones to win the Grade 3, $200,000 Greenwood Cup on Monday, most likely earning himself yet another berth in the Breeders’ Cup Marathon, the race he won in 2010. The favorite, Eldaafer paid $7.

Ridden by Ricardo Santana Jr. for trainer Diane Alvarado, Eldaafer moved into contention in the final turn of the 1 1/2-mile race before engaging Indian Jones in a prolonged duel and prevailing by a nose. Pool Play was third and Suns Out Guns Out was fourth in a field of seven older horses.

Eldaafer finished in 2:33.73 over a sloppy main track and now has earned $1,031,835. A start in the Nov. 1 BC Marathon at Santa Anita would be a remarkable fifth in a row for the 8-year-old gelding by A.P. Indy. He finished seventh in 2009, first in 2010, sixth in 2011, and seventh in 2012.

Turf Amazon: Silverette gets job done

Silverette got a great stalking trip under Robby Albarado and proceeded to wear down the race-long leader Subtle to prevail by 1 1/4 lengths as the favorite in the $200,000 Turf Amazon, the filly-mare counterpart to the Turf Monster. Silverette paid $5.

Dale Romans trains Silverette, a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred gray by Street Sense, for Paul Pompa Jr. The filly now has 6 wins and 4 seconds from 11 lifetime starts, all on the East Coast. She finished the five-furlong distance in 57.73 seconds for her third and richest stakes win.

“Her versatility and her consistency are obvious strengths,” said Romans, who was in from Saratoga for the day.