Point of Entry powered past Treasure Beach (GB) inside the final quarter mile to win the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Belmont Park, his fifth consecutive win and third straight Grade 1 win. Treasure Beach finished second, while long shot Kindergarden Kid rounded out the trifecta.
Little Mike set a soft pace right from the outset, clicking off an opening quarter in 25.70 seconds and a half-mile in 51.99. Treasure Beach and Point of Entry sat second and third, in no hurry to put pressure on Little Mike. Point of Entry and Treasure Beach decided to go to the front heading into the far turn, with Treasure Beach gaining a narrow advantage until John Velazquez took Point of Entry wide off the turn. One he he was asked for more run at the top of the stretch, Point of Entry surged to the front to capture the victory.
With his win in the Hirsch Turf, Point of Entry has secured a spot in the 2012 Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita on November 3rd.
Point of Entry is a four-year-old son of notable turf sire Dynaformer out of a Seeking the Gold mare (Matlacha Pass), trained by Shug McGaughey and ridden by John Velazquez. He is a Phipps Stable home-bred.
Below are the payouts, fractions and internal splits for the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic.
WIN: 2-Point of Entry ($3.50, $2.50, $2.10)
PLACE: 3-Treasure Beach (GB) ($4.30, $2.90)
SHOW: 5-Kindergarden Kid ($5.10)
$1.00 EXACTA: (2/3) $5.90
$1.00 TRIFECTA: (2/3/5) $30.75
$0.10 SUPERFECTA: (2/3/5/6) $9.42
$1.00 DAILY DOUBLE: (8/2) $12.50
$1.00 PICK 3: (1/8/2) $35.50
Fractions:
1/4: 25.70
1/2: 51.99
3/4: 1:18.16
Mile: 1:43.67
1 1/4: 2:08.29
Finish: 2:33.73
Internal Splits:
1/4: 25.70
1/2: 26.29
3/4: 26.17
Mile: 25.51
1 1/4: 24.62
Finish: 25.44