J P's Gusto wins Charles Town stakes

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Charles Town, WV (Sports Network) - Post-time favorite J P's Gusto took control on the turn for home and went on to capture Saturday's $400,000 Red Legend Stakes for three-year-olds at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races. The former Kentucky Derby hopeful covered the seven-furlongs in 1:25.03 on a fast track.

Ridden by J.D. Acosta, J P's Gusto stalked the pace that was being set by 22-1 longshot Der Meister. J P's Gusto, trained by Michael Hushion, took over the lead on the final turn of the three-turn race.

The three-year-old, the 5-2 morning-line favorite in the 10-horse field, easily distanced himself from the rest of the field. He posted a 6 3/4-length win over local winner Loranger Native.

Nacho Saint, a stablemate of Belmont Stakes champ Ruler On Ice, finished third followed by Little Drama, Yankee Passion, Decisive Moment, Vee's Accolade, B G Suavecito, Black N Beauty and Der Meister.

Owned by Gem Inc., J P's Gusto earned $230,400 with the nighttime victory. In 12 career starts, he has earned $811,760 with five wins. His last start was in the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park where he finished eighth to Archarcharch.

"I got the horse about a week after his last race in the Arkansas Derby and have had him since then," said the New York based Hushion. "I haven't had the horse long enough to say for sure if he's better sprinting or going long."

J P's Gusto won half of his eight starts in 2010, including the Hollywood Juvenile Championship, Best Pal and Del Mar Futurity. After finishing second in the Norfolk Stakes last year he was sixth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and second in the CashCall Futurity.

He began 2011 by being runner-up to Archarcharch in Oaklawn's Southwest Stakes and seventh in the Rebel Stakes.

"The King's Bishop is the goal with this horse for sure," Hushion said about the stakes for three-year-olds at Saratoga.

J P's Gusto returned $5.40, $3.80 and $3.00. Loranger Native paid $6.00 and $3.40, and Nacho Saint paid $6.20 to show.