Top Striker wins late in Carolina Cup Steeplechase

CAMDEN, S.C. (AP) - Jockey Willie McCarthy bided his time before making his winning move until late in Saturdays 82nd running of the $50,000 Carolina Cup Steeplechase knowing he had plenty of horse underneath him.

With three fences left, the 30-year-old native of Ireland overtook race-leading Easy Reach and rode Top Striker to victory by 1 1/2-lengths for the horses owner, Sue Sensor of Camden.

The final time for the 2 1/8-mile trip over 11 hurdles for novice steeplechasers was 4:01 2/5.

Easy Reach held on for second while Cat Feathers, the lone mare in the field of six, finished another two lengths back in third.

For Sensor and Camden-based trainer Arch Kingsley, this was their second time teaming up for a Carolina Cup winner. In 2011, Sensors Sunshine Numbers won the Camden spring classic by a race-record 27 1/4-lengths.

This time, jockey Jeff Murphy took Easy Reach to the front from the drop of the starters flag with Top Striker in close pursuit. Cat Feathers - trained in Camden by Kate Dalton and ridden by her husband, Bernie Dalton - sat in third.

The top three stayed that way until the field headed to the ninth fence. It was there that McCarthy said he decided a day earlier while walking the Springdale Race Course to make his move aboard Top Striker.

I had a lot of horse coming three (fences) from home, McCarthy said of Top Striker, a 5-year-old gelding. I just didnt want to get into position where he was coming up against a horse with a lot of speed down the stretch.

Top Striker took the lead for keeps heading into the 10th fence and held off a game Easy Reach.

He jumped the second last (fence) and the last really fast and got away from them pretty quick, McCarthy said. He just put his head down and, just watching the video, I didnt know he was so impressive. Hes a superstar.

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Top Striker wins late in Carolina Cup Steeplechase