Crystal Racing Enterprises and Contreras Stable’s Matrooh came from last to first in Saturday’s $100,000 Hanshin Cup (G3) to give trainer Cipriano Contreras and jockey Santo Sanjur the first graded stakes win of their careers.
Matrooh, an 8-year-old by Distorted Humor, previously won the Bold Ruler S. and boosted his career earnings to $477,029. He was bred by WinStar Farm and is a half-brother to millionaire and multiple graded stakes winner Rule. Their dam Rockcide is a sister to Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Funny Cide.
Matrooh was last of nine for the first five furlongs before kicking into gear on the far turn. Going five-wide in the stretch, he motored past the entire field to win by 2 1/2-lengths in 1:36.43 for the mile on the fast main track.
“I’m so happy to come back to Arlington,” Sanjur said in the winner’s circle. “I just let him break, and he broke really well. It was easy after that. I knew that I had a lot of horse at the finish.”
Distorted Humor is having another successful year on the track, with the likes of Tampa Bay Derby (G2) winner Quip and Pat Day Mile (G3) winner Funny Duck among his black type winners.
