Cowboy Justice and Shane Foley hold off the late surge of Shark Bay© Photo Healy Racing
Out of luck with Cadillac in the Saratoga Derby yesterday evening, Cowboy Justice provided his connections with better fortune in the opener at the Curragh, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
Second on debut in June, the Jessica Harrington trained bay was sent off the 2/1 favourite this afternoon and he improved to the front after a furlong under Shane Foley.
He was ridden inside the final 200 yards and while Swan Bay threw down a late challenge up the rail, the Alpha Racing owned victor hung on to prevail by a neck.
The runner-up was sent off a well-backed 5/1 chance (12s early) under Shane Crosse for Joseph O'Brien, while Craic At Dawn (20/1) was another length-and-three parts back in third.
Newcomer Bluegrass was sent off an easy to back 7/2 chance (as short as 13/8 early) and he finished sixth under Ryan Moore.
"I'm delighted with that. Shane said he was just getting a bit lonely out in front," Harrington stated.
"Shane said he's still pretty immature and will improve again from that. He's a nice horse and we'll probably be staying at seven furlongs for the moment. We could look at something like the Futurity."
On Cadillac, she added: "As far as I know Cadillac is fine after his run last night. Nobody has rung me to tell me he isn't which is always a great sign.
"He just didn’t let himself down on the ground. He is a Lope De Vega and most of them like a little cut in the ground."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
