Gio Ponti Named Champion Male Turf Horse, Older Male

Gio Ponti (Tale of the CatñChipeta Springs, by Alydar) won four consecutive Grade I races on turf in 2009 and finished second in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic, en route to being named champion turf horse and champion older male. The Castleton Lyons colorbearer got up late to nip Ventura (Chester House) by a nose in the GI Frank E. Kilroe H., then went east to annex the GI Manhattan H. on the Belmont S. undercard. A 1 3/4-length winner of the Man O' War S., the Christophe Clement protege prevailed by 1 1/4 lengths in the GI Arlington Million, despite stumbling at the start. He ended his campaign with runner-up efforts in the GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational over soft turf and in Breeders' Cup Classic on Santa Anita's Pro-Ride surface. Gio Ponti won at distances ranging from one mile to 11 furlongs during his 2009 season. Gio Ponti was bred by Kilboy Estate Inc.