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Carpe Diem repels challenges to win going away on debut Three races after his highly regarded stablemate Competitive Edge ran away with the Hopeful, Carpe Diem emerged as yet another Todd Pletcher juvenile to follow with a gutsy, and ultimately convincing, debut in Saratoga's 7TH race on Monday. The joint sales topper at OBS March when selling for $1.6 million, Carpe Diem is a Giant's Causeway half-brother to 2010 Breeders' Futurity winner J.B.'s Thunder and to multiple English stakes scorer and Group 3-placed Doncaster Rover. The powerfully made chestnut was bet down to 3-5 favoritism here with Hall of Famer John Velazquez in the saddle, and justified that status after surviving a potentially bruising pace war. Carpe Diem was drawn on the rail, and thereby unaffected by a rough start that compromised several others. He flashed speed from the gate, but felt sustained pressure from Louisiana Brown. After testing fractions of :21 4/5 and :44 4/5 on the fast track, Louisiana Brown was the first to crack. Carpe Diem, however, also looked softened up at the head of the lane. By that point, Ready for Rye -- one who had been hampered at the break -- rolled up on the outside to challenge. In the process, he came over into the path of the tiring Louisiana Brown. Although Ready for Rye appeared to head Carpe Diem, the favorite was far from done. The strength, stamina, and fighting spirit of Giant's Causeway rose up within his son, and Carpe Diem found extra to respond after five furlongs in :57 2/5. He not only rebuffed his newest rival, but put him away decisively, opened up by 2 1/2 lengths, and sped 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:03 4/5. Ready for Rye crossed the wire 2 3/4 lengths ahead of Louisiana Brown, but the rider of that third-place finisher, Luis Saez, claimed foul against Javier Castellano aboard Ready for Rye. The stewards also posted the inquiry sign. Following review of the alleged interference, the order of finish was allowed to stand. Carpe Diem, who paid $3.40 to win, banked $49,800 for himself. Bred in Kentucky by Coffee Pot Stable, the promising colt is out of the Grade 2-placed stakes heroine Rebridled Dreams, an Unbridled's Song mare. Carpe Diem was first sold for $550,000 as a Keeneland September yearling. He turned out to be a successful pinhook for Northwest Stud, which offered him at OBS in March. Stonestreet Stables signed the $1.6 million ticket, and now campaigns him in partnership with WinStar Farm. Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com
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