The Grade I Hollywood Turf Cup Stakes is considered the wrap-up event of the season, usually pulling in a solid field of Breeders’ Cup entrants. This past Saturday’s $250,000 event was a little different. The 17-10 favorite, Champs Elysees, was making his first start in the United States. And the winner, 4-year-old Sunriver, was not part of the festivities at Monmouth Park.

You may recall Sunriver as one of the longer shots on the 2006 Triple Crown trail. The Todd Pletcher-trained colt finished third at the Belmont before making the switch to turf this spring. The move has paid off; Sunriver now has three wins in six attempts, including July’s Bowling Green Handicap. He paid $6.00 to win the Turf Cup.

Champs Elysees ($3.20) was 2-3/4 lengths behind Sunriver in second, followed by Spring House ($2.40) in third. Rounding out the field were Obrigado, Tissy Fit, Chief Running Bear and Heroi Do Bafra. Sudan was a scratch.