Star Of Cozzene Gets Even With Lure

Star Of Cozzene overtook 4-5 favorite Lure in the stretch to win the $500,000 Caesars International Handicap before 7,127 at Atlantic City Race Course on Sunday.

Jose Santos guided the 3-year-old son of former national turf champion Cozzene to a one-length victory on a turf course that was listed as firm but appeared soft because of heavy overnight rain.

Star Of Cozzene covered the 1 3/16 miles in 1:53 1/5.

“The softer it gets, the better for us,” winning trainer Mark Hennig said. “It couldn’t have rained enough as far as I was concerned. The conditions were perfect for us and both horses gave the public the kind of match race it wants.”

Lure and Star Of Cozzene dominated the seven-horse field. Third-place Finder’s Choice finished 9 1/4 lengths behind Lure.

Star Of Cozzene evened his season series with Lure at 2-2 in one of turf racing’s best rivalries in years. Hennig said that Star of Cozzene and Lure might meet again in the Arlington Million on Aug. 29. Star Of Cozzene paid $7, $2.80 and $2.40, while Lure returned $2.40 and $2.40. Finder’s Choice paid $6.40.