For Immediate Release: Saturday, September 14, 2013

SWIFT WARRIOR PROVES BEST IN $250,000 PTHA PRESIDENT’S CUP

Swift Warrior, racing for Scout Stable & James Dolan, came into the $250,000 PTHA President’s Cup Saturday at Parx Racing looking like the best horse on paper. When the mile and one-eighth turf stake was over, there no doubt who was best. Under a perfect ground saving turf ride by jockey Jose Ortiz, Swift Warrior cruised home a length and half in front, capturing his third stakes victory of the 2013 season.

Breaking from post three in the nine horse field, Swift Warrior came away from the gate well and took his position at the inside, following the longshot leader Achilles Quest. As Achilles Quest carved out a comfortable pace of 23.84 and 48.28, prompted by morning line favorite Change of Command, Swift Warrior simply sat patiently down on the rail, third through the backstretch run and waited until the real running was to be done as the field came toward the top of the stretch.

For maybe a moment, it looked as though General Logan may have had a chance to get first run on Swift Warrior and pin him down in behind the two leaders as they came to the head of the stretch, but Ortiz did a terrific job of easing his mount off the rail in time to make sure he had a running lane three wide as they turned for home.

Off the turn, Achilles Quest gave way to Change of Command, who was immediately confronted by the now oncoming Swift Warrior. Change of Command was no match. Swift Warrior surged past with a furlong to the finish and began to pull away and came to the wire clear by a solid length and a half.

Sent off as the 4-5 betting favorite, Swift Warrior, trained by John Terranova II, and paid $3.60, 2.60 and 2.20. Reflecting (9-2) raced in mid-pack most of the way and rallied late between horses to get up for second, but never posed any threat to the winner. He paid 4.40 and 3.60. Change of Command (9-2) stalked and took over turning for home, but then weakened in the last furlong finishing third and returning 2.80 to show. The final time over a course labeled firm was 1:47.91.