The Phoenix Thoroughbreds owned War Cross delivered a first dirt winner for Ed Vaughan as the gelding demolished an MSW field at Belterra Park.
The son of War Front had shown some promising form in Europe before following his trainer across the Atlantic and looked very much at home on the unfamiliar surface. No stranger to sending out winners for the Dubai-based owners in the UK, this was the first time Vaughan had sent one out carrying the firm’s white and orange silks since his migration west.
It’s fair to say the maiden broke in some style at the Cincinnati track. Taken into an early lead by rider John McKee the horse with the striking white blaze did not see another rival. Gradually applying the pressure from the turn for home onwards, War Cross was in splendid isolation entering the stretch. “From here, it’s a case of how far”, was the shout from the caller’s booth as the four-year-old moved further clear and at the line that margin had grown to 14 lengths.