Refrigerator Invitational Championship

Sent to post as the 9-10 favorite in a field of 11 aged runners, Barboza Racing Corp.'s Instygator rolled to a 1 3/4-length victory in Saturday's 440-yard, $144,000 Refrigerator Invitational Championship Stakes (G1) at Lone Star Park.

Instygator made his quarter-mile trip in :21.084 on a sloppy and sealed track. Juan Pulido rode the 4-year-old Ivory James gelding for trainer Santos Carrizales Jr.

Instygator prepped for this race with a 1 1/4-length win in a 250-yard allowance-optional claiming dash at Lone Star Park on October 14. The brown gelding was bred in Texas by Bobby D. Cox, and he was purchased by the late Jose E. Guzman for $25,000 at the 2019 Heritage Place Fall Mixed Sale in Oklahoma City.

Instygator is out of Eye Popping, a homebred winning and multiple stakes placed 10-year-old daughter of Mr Eye Opener. Campaigned in three states, including New Mexico and Oklahoma, the gelding has won  of 17 races -- including five of eight at the classic 440 trip -- and the $80,640 winner's share of the Refrigerator Invitational Championship purse bumped his earnings to $1,582,551.

Instygator ended his sophomore season with a 1 1/4-length win as the fastest qualifier in the September 5, $929,000 All American Derby (G1) at Ruidoso Downs, and he began his 4-year-old year with a neck victory in the January 2, $350,000 Championship at Sunland Park (G1).

Apolliticalfastprize ran second and was followed by Hesa Party Wagon, Whirlaway Wagon, Jess My Hocks, Da Devil Made Medoit, Jess Rocket Man, Elmer, One Slick V, Other World, and Midday News.

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