Pure Sensation makes 4th run in Jaipur Stakes

In times like this, the comfort of old friends helps, and at the barn of trainer Christophe Clement, a horse like Pure Sensation is just that.

Pure Sensation has been one of the top turf sprinters in the country going back to 2014, when a victory in the Quick Call was a preview of coming attractions. He’s won half (13 for 26) his turf sprints over the years, and has made four appearances in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

Whether he can continue to hold that form at the ripe old age of 9, and make another appearance at year’s end in the Breeders’ Cup, will get a test drive Saturday. Pure Sensation is making his first start of the year against seven others in the Grade 1, $300,000 Jaipur going six furlongs on the inner turf course at Belmont Park.

The Jaipur is a Win and You’re In for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, scheduled for Nov. 7 at Keeneland.

Pure Sensation – a Patricia Generazio homebred – has been in Clement’s care for seven years now, since arriving as a 2-year-old. He has had wellspaced campaigns after getting winter holidays, a schedule that has seen him through to nearly $2 million in earnings.

“He looks good,” Clement said Thursday. “We try to keep him happy as we can. Fresh, happy, and willing.”

This will be Pure Sensation’s fourth appearance in the Jaipur, a race he won in 2016 when setting a course record that was bettered a year later by his now retired stablemate Disco Partner.

While age and the layoff could be factors Saturday, Pure Sensation wound up in a field

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where he could control the pace under Irad Ortiz Jr. He might be slightly more effective at five or 5 1/2 furlongs, so the early part of the race could be key to his success.

Clement also sends out White Flag, a four-time winner over this course who also is making his first start of the year.

The inscrutable Hidden Scroll is a potential pace player if he leaves the gate with rider aboard, something he failed to do last time in his turf debut.

Stubbins should be a major threat. He was an unlucky loser of his 2020 debut last month when third after encountering traffic in the Daytona at Santa Anita.

Also shipping in from Santa Anita are Texas Wedge, fourth in the Daytona following a wide trip, and the mare Oleksandra, a fast-finishing second in the 5 1/2-furlong Monrovia for females at Santa Anita in her first start of the year.

Oleksandra likes to take her act on the road. She has won stakes at Keeneland and Saratoga, and was 2 for 2 in sixfurlong turf sprints last year at Belmont, once versus males.

“I was very pleased with her last race, as 5 1/2 at Santa Anita is not ideal for her, because speed carries,” said her trainer, Neil Drysdale. “Another couple more jumps and she might have won it.”

The comebacking Kanthaka and the longshot Lonhtwist complete the field.

The Jaipur is race 9 on the 12-race card.