Favorites Comport, Chopsticks Take Ellis Park Stakes For Two-Year-Olds
Joseph Sutton's Comport delivered as the heavy 1-4 favorite with a determined stretch run to win Sunday's 10th running of the $198,000 Ellis Park Juvenile.
Trained by Eddie Kenneally and ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, Comport completed the seven furlongs in 1:22.73 over a fast track.
Spice Runner was sent to the early lead with his stablemate Papa Ken securing a forward position along the rail. Down the backstretch, Comport advanced to second and ranged up alongside Spice Runner after an opening quarter in :22.88. Around the far turn, Comport drew even after a half-mile in :46.01, then gradually edged clear in the stretch to prevail by two lengths.
'He definitely gave me the impression he wants to go longer,' Gaffalione said. 'He was so kind and did whatever I asked him. When I asked him to quicken down the lane he kept getting stronger.'
Spice Runner held second, with Papa Ken finishing third. Shake and Rattle was fourth, followed by Longstrider.
Comport returned $2.70
A 2-year-old son of Collected out of the Flatter mare Bartlett Narrows, Comport was bred in Kentucky by Edwin Anthony.
The victory was his second from three starts and increased his earnings to $236,300 with the $122,000 winner's share from the $198,000 purse.
Chopsticks Stays Perfect In Debutante
Two races earlier on Sunday's card, Selective LLC's Chopsticks stayed unbeaten in two starts with a determined stretch run to capture the eighth running of the $197,000 Ellis Park Debutante for 2-year-old fillies .
Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Florent Geroux, Chopsticks completed the seven furlongs in 1:23.68 over a fast track.
Breaking from the rail, Kingsolver was sent to the lead and dueled early with Boom Boom Bell through an opening quarter in :22.43. Up the backside, Boom Boom Bell edged clear of Kingsolver before Prowess and Chopsticks moved into contention around the far turn. After a half-mile in :45.27, Kingsolver tipped four wide at the quarter pole and battled with Chopsticks to her inside. Inside the final sixteenth, Chopsticks edged ahead and held sway to the wire for a one-length victory.
'It was a big effort today,' Cox said. 'Anytime a horse starts two-for-two it is special. I'm very happy for the entire team to be able to get this stakes win and looking forward to her future. She has a great mind to her. Florent did a good job getting her into a good position. I think as the distances get longer, she'll keep improving.'
Prowess rallied to finish third. She was followed by Red Beretta, Boom Boom Bell and Mescat.
Chopsticks earned $121,380 for her victory in the Ellis Park Debutante to boost her career earnings to $190,680. She returned $3.40 to those backing her through the windows.
A gray daughter of Essential Quality, Chopsticks is out of the More Than Ready mare Miss Southern Miss. She was bred in Kentucky by Machmer Hall.
This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Aug 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
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