John Henry Turf victory earns Itsinthepost a shot

A growing collection of wins in Grade 2 turf marathons this year has put Itsinthepost on course for the $4 million Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 4 – and the greatest test of his career.

Sunday, Itisinthepost won the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship, displaying a turn of foot that has defined his recent races. Itsinthepost closed from fourth to win by a head over Prime Attraction.

“I’ve been around a long time,” said owner Jed Cohen. “You don’t see many as confident as he is. He gives you his all every time.”

The BC Turf became a goal for the 5-year-old Itsinthepost earlier this year after consecutive wins in Grade 2 stakes at 1 1/2 miles on turf – the San Luis Rey Stakes at Santa Anita and Elkhorn Stakes at Keeneland.

After fifth-place finishes in the Grade 2 Charles Whittingham Stakes at Santa Anita in May and the Grade 1 United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park on July 1, Itsinthepost was an unlucky second to Hunt in the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap at 1 3/8 miles on turf on Aug. 19.

Ridden by Tyler Baze, Itsinthepost raced in traffic the final three furlongs and closed with a furious rush to miss by threequarters of a length. The loss was a bitter disappointment for Cohen and trainer Jeff Mullins, since the Del Mar Handicap offered a fees-paid berth to the winner for the BC Turf.

“I thought he should have won the race the other day and got in,” Cohen said on Sunday in the winner’s circle.

There was talk of traveling to New York for the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes at Belmont Park last Saturday, which offered a fees-paid berth to the winner. Instead, Itsinthepost remained in California and continued what has been the best season of his career, with three wins in eight starts and earnings of $523,000. Preentry and starting fees for the Breeders’ Cup will cost $100,000.

At the least, Cohen and Mullins contend Itsinthepost will be suited to the BC Turf distance of 1 1/2 miles.

“I think he is” a Breeders’ Cup horse, Cohen said. “He’s a very good horse. I think he’s better at a mile and a half.”

In the BC Turf, Itsinthepost will be a double-digit price in a field led by Beach Patrol, the emphatic winner of the Joe Hirsch Stakes, and the Europeans Highland Reel and Ulysses.

Highland Reel, who won the 2016 BC Turf at Santa Anita, is expected to represent trainer Aidan O’Brien, who may have more than one starter in a race he has won a record six times.

Michael Stoute is sending Ulysses, third behind the brilliant filly Enable in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Chantilly Racecourse in France on Sunday. Ulysses was fourth in the 2016 BC Turf. Stoute has won the BC Turf four times.

Enable is not scheduled to run again this year.