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An Old Fashioned drubbing in the Remsen Fox Hill Farm's OLD FASHIONED (Unbridled's Song) has long been highly regarded by trainer Larry Jones, and after the gray colt turned in a front-running masterpiece in Saturday's $200,000 Remsen S. (G2), it is easy to see why. Strolling home by 7 1/4 lengths on cruise control, he thrashed a field of promising juveniles to remain unbeaten from three starts, and in the process, stamped himself as a player on the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail. It is a poignant development, for Old Fashioned represents the connections of the gallant filly Eight Belles, the ill-fated runner-up in this year's Derby. Going straight to the early lead beneath Ramon Dominguez, the nearly 4-5 favorite set a tepid tempo of :24 2/5, :49 2/5 and 1:14. American Dance (A.P. Indy) took a run at Old Fashioned on the far turn, but the pacesetter easily dismissed him. With Dominguez still sitting chilly, Old Fashioned kicked well clear entering the stretch, and after getting a tap to keep him from lugging in, the gray colt won in hand, with complete authority. He finished 1 1/8 miles on Aqueduct's fast track in 1:50 1/5 and rewarded his supporters with $3.50, $2.90 and $2.40. "Once he made the lead, I took a peek back, hit him one time and he took off," Dominguez said. "It was pretty impressive. Larry described him perfectly. Judging by today, there is no telling how far he can go." "The horse had a perfect trip," Jones said. "The fractions up front were very realistic. They let us run out there pretty easy. I was very grateful to see the fractions, especially as they came around the far turn." Atomic Rain (Smart Strike), who had tracked the pace along the rail, wound up best of the rest by 2 1/2 lengths. The nearly 15-1 shot returned $9.10 and $4.90 while ending the $41.40 exacta. The nearly 7-1 American Dance finished a clear third, paying $3.40 and concluding the $145.50 trifecta (6-1-7). Idol Maker (Empire Maker) crossed the wire another 3 1/4 lengths back in fourth, followed by Hold Me Back (Giant's Causeway), Rip Rap (Harlan's Holiday) and Awesome Mich (Awesome Again). Jazzandthemagician (Birdstone) scratched in favor of Saturday's Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) at Churchill Downs. Old Fashioned more than tripled his earnings to $173,280. In his debut, he rallied late and just got up by a nose in a six-furlong maiden at Delaware Park. Stepping up to a one-mile allowance at that same track, he romped by 15 1/2 lengths. Bred in Kentucky by Rod and Lorraine Rodriguez, he was sold for $800,000 as a Keeneland September yearling. Old Fashioned is the second registered foal from Collect Call (Meadowlake), who won the Santa Ysabel S. (G3) and British Columbia Oaks (Can-G3) and finished third in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), Vanity H. (G1) and Milady H. (G1). Her youngest is an unnamed yearling colt by Ghostzapper. This is the family of Grade 1 heroine Mitterand (Hold Your Peace), herself the dam of Grade 2 victor and sire French Deputy (Deputy Minister).
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