The $50,000 third leg of the Turf Endurance Series shaped up to be a battle of the first leg winners with Artistico holding off Royal Intrigue by a neck on Sunday afternoon as the series distance expanded to about 1-5/8 miles.
4U Thoroughbred Racing Stable’s Artistico set out for the lead from the inside post position and led the entire race for jockey Jesse Campbell. Meanwhile, Royal Intrigue settled towards the back half from the outside post and swept four-wide into contention approaching the six furlongs mark as the field began to bunch up. He continued in hot pursuit of Artistico down the stretch, but couldn’t catch the front-runner, who went the distance in 2:50.09. Camp Creek tracked the winner throughout and followed two lengths behind in third-place.
Artistico had opened the series winning at 1-3/8 miles on July 1 but opted to race elsewhere skipping the 1-1/2-mile second leg on August 5, which was won by series newcomer Royal Intrigue.