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Scat Daddy rolled to an impressive score in
his final Kentucky Derby tune-up
(Joel Black/Horsephotos.com) |
James Scatuorchio and Michael Tabor's SCAT DADDY (Johannesburg) quickly
moved to the front turning for home and powered clear to a 1 1/4-length win in
the $1 million
Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park on Saturday. Tracking in
third on the outside early, the dark bay overtook pacesetter and 7-2 third
choice Stormello (Stormy Atlantic) leaving the final turn and kept a secure margin to
the wire, running 1 1/8 miles in 1:49 under Edgar Prado. Conditioned by Todd
Pletcher, the 2-1 choice paid $6.40, $3.40 and $2.80 while keying the $1
gimmicks: $10.70 exacta, $74.30 trifecta and $234.20 superfecta. The win capped
a memorable day for his connections, with Prado booting home six winners and
Pletcher saddling a handful.
"This is very special because he is a son of Johannesburg," said
Tabor, who also co-owned the colt's sire. Johannesburg earned
championship honors as the top juvenile male in both America and Europe
in 2001.
"He was very special to us, and this one was obviously very special
as well," Tabor said. "Now it's on to Kentucky (for the Derby [G1] on
May 5). We know the five weeks leading up to it can work after last
year," he added, alluding to Barbaro's success following this road map.
"He's got an easy running style," Prado said. "When I pushed the
pedal, he was ready to go. He was looking around a little today, but
nobody would have beaten him today."
Stormello was soon in front and led the field through ambitious fractions of
:23, :46 3/5 and 1:10 4/5 for the opening six furlongs, with Adore the Gold
(Formal Gold) chasing in second. Nearing the final turn, Adore the Gold was empty and the
leader was tiring, setting the stage for Scat Daddy's impressive finish.
Notional (In Excess [Ire]) advanced from midpack to attain good striking
position, but never could get to the winner, settling for the place at 3-1 and
paying $4.20 and $3 in the process.
"I thought he ran dynamite," Notional's trainer Doug O'Neill said,
adding that he would also head straight to the Run for the Roses.
The hard-luck Chelokee (Cherokee Run) was
finding his best stride on the rail but was impeded by Stormello in the
straight, giving him no chance for the win. The colt did recover well when
switched to the outside, finishing another three parts of a length back in
third. Show paid $3.80 for the 8-1 shot.
"I don't think third will be good enough to qualify (for the Derby)
on the graded earnings (list)," Chelokee's conditioner Michael Matz
observed. "He's getting better all the time. We know we're right on the
bubble. (Jockey) Ramon (Dominguez) said he was on the best horse. We'll
just have to wait and see. If we don't happen to make it into the Derby,
he will be heard from again."
Bill Currin, the trainer and co-owner of Stormello, was not pleased
with his charge's front-running trip.
"We had talked about this, and Victor's (Espinoza) as good a rider as
you can have, but this is the kind of horse that you've got to let him
go," Currin insisted. "He's hot-blooded, and you don't go teaching
things at this point, but we're going on (to the Derby)."
Stormello held on by a neck to complete the super and was trailed by Boogie
Boggs (Dixie Union), Imawildandcrazyguy (Wild Event), Birdbirdistheword (Pure
Prize), Adore the Gold and Johannesburg Star (Johannesburg).
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