He’spuregold takes Irish War Cry for third consecutive time

He’spuregold wore down There Are No Words to win the $91,800 Irish War Cry Handicap by three quarters of a length.  

Of course, he did.  

Five-year-old He’spuregold won the 2021 Irish War Cry, won the race again last summer, and made it three in a row on Sunday at Monmouth Park. 

Crushed very late in the betting, He’spuregold came back a $3.80 winner under Paco Lopez in this one-mile grass race for New Jersey-breds.  

There Are No Words got a great stalking trip behind a three-horse speed duel involving Crafty Don, Smithwick’s Spice, and Leo Monte, moving with authority to take a lead in upper stretch. But Lopez had followed the move on He’spuregold, who attacked There Are No Words approaching the eighth pole and pushed past for a rare stakes three-peat.  

Smithwick’s Spice held third as He’spuregold clocked 1:34.01 over a firm course. The winner carried top weight of 124 pounds. 

Kelly Breen trains He’spuregold for Roseland Farm Stable. By Vancouver out of Smart N Classy, by Smart Strike, He’spuregold was bred by John Bowers.