Hokan Wins Steeplechase

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Hokan edged Romantic by a neck Thursday in the $108,500 New York Turf Writers Cup, completing Saratoga’s 2 3/8-mile, 17-fence steeplechase course in a record 4 minutes 12 seconds.

Eskimo Cove set the previous mark of 4:12 1/5 in 1995.

Hokan, ridden by Sean Clancy, returned $28.80, $7.90 and $4.10 for his third career victory in eight steeplechase starts. Romantic paid $4 and $2.70, and Sundin returned $4.30 to show.